Olympic silver medalist apologises and accepts 18-month sanction for three whereabouts failures

Polish Olympic silver medallist Daria Pikulik has spoken publicly after accepting a retrospective 18-month ban for three whereabouts failures, saying she never intended to violate anti-doping rules and apologising to those she feels she has let down. 

The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced that Pikulik had accepted a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping violation under Article 2.4 of the UCI anti-doping rules. 

The sanction ran from 9 December 2024 to 8 June 2026, with all competitive results during that period disqualified, including medals, points and prizes. 

In a post on Instagram, Pikulik explained her absence, with the 29-year-old last racing at Omloop Nieuwsblad at the end of February.

"Many questions remain, and I must face them head-on. I'd like to explain why you haven't seen me racing since March. I was suspended for failing to report for three doping tests,” Pikulik explained on Instagram. 

"This happened to me twice, in September 2023 and October 2023. Realising the seriousness of the situation, I tried to systematically complete my residence data in the system, but due to my oversight and a much greater workload, it happened a third time in September 2024.”

Under anti-doping regulations, three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period constitute an anti-doping rule violation. These violations can include missed tests, failure to provide accurate whereabouts information or a combination of both. 

The ITA said Pikulik did not challenge the violation and agreed with the consequences proposed by the agency, meaning the case was resolved through an acceptance of consequences. 

"I spent the last two years trying to defend my good name, and ultimately CAS issued a judgment in March 2026 without a penalty, finding me guilty of omitting an inspection,” Pikulik said.

"In September, I was finally suspended from December 2024 to June 2026. It was a terribly difficult time for me and my loved ones. It was never my intention to violate anti-doping rules.

"Throughout my career, I have passed dozens of doping controls without any problems. However, I need to accept what happened and put it behind me. I apologise to everyone I've let down and thank everyone who has been with me through this time."

Pikulik won Olympic silver in the omnium at the 2024 Games, as well as bronze in the European road race championships.