Australian Sprint Sensation Torrie Lewis Set for Redemption as Drug Cheat’s Ban Reduced
Australian sprint star Torrie Lewis, who was initially denied gold at the 2024 under-20 championships in Lima, Peru, is now set to be retrospectively awarded the 200-metre title. This comes after race winner Adaejah Hodge, representing the British Virgin Islands, was found to have tested positive for a banned substance. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) upheld the charge against Hodge, but controversially reduced her standard four-year ban to two years, suspending seven months of it.
Hodge’s ban was reduced after she claimed to have unintentionally and unknowingly ingested GW501516, a prohibited metabolic modulator. Her backdated suspension concluded on January 27, making her eligible to compete again. This reduction in her penalty means Hodge is now free to participate in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, potentially setting up a direct collision course with Lewis.
The development has raised eyebrows, particularly given that Hodge’s coach, Gerald Phiri, was provisionally suspended last year after three of his athletes tested positive for the same banned substance. The AIU’s decision to significantly reduce Hodge’s ban, despite the circumstances and her association with a coach facing doping allegations, has led to questions about the integrity of the sport and the fairness of the penalties.
Lewis herself expressed her bewilderment at the leniency of the ban and the substantial discount applied. “She is already back running again,” Lewis commented. “They gave her two years, then gave her a seven-month discount for complying with the drug testers. It means she can compete at the Commonwealth Games if they pick her, and she is running again and running fast so I assume they will pick her, so I will have to run against her again there.”
Lewis highlighted the potential for residual physical benefits derived from using banned substances and the lingering suspicion that accompanies any doping charge. “Anyone who has a drug charge against them will always have a taint to their name and some suspicion that come with that. They did get the [physical performance] benefits while using drugs,” she stated.
The news of her upgraded title came as a surprise to Lewis. “I literally got the news on Instagram she had been banned and this was happening, it was so weird. No one has formally told me anything,” she admitted. She recalled the speculation surrounding Hodge’s absence from competition last season, with rumours of injuries or drug use circulating due to her coach’s suspension and those of other teammates.
Mixed Emotions for a World Champion
Despite the belated recognition, Lewis admitted to experiencing mixed emotions. While thrilled to be officially declared the under-20 world champion, she lamented the loss of her genuine moment of triumph in 2024.
- The Missed Moment: “It’s mixed feelings. Yes, technically I won but someone else crossed the line ahead of me. All my memories of that day are of crossing the line with someone ahead of me.”
- Podium Disappointment: “I didn’t get to stand at the top of the podium and hear the national anthem being played. All the photos I have are of me standing on the podium with someone else [wearing gold] and with a silver medal around my neck.”
- The Clean Athlete: “But now I also know I was the fastest clean athlete that day and am the world junior champion so it’s mixed feelings.”
Lewis recounted her interaction with Hodge on the day of the race, noting that there was no indication of foul play. “We spoke while waiting to get medals, and we had a pretty nice conversation and at no point in my head did I think she was a cheater,” she said.
Impact on Teammates and Future Prospects
The repercussions of Hodge’s positive test extend beyond Lewis. Australian teammate Jess Milat, who originally finished fourth, has now been elevated to the bronze medal position. Milat, like Lewis, missed out on a podium celebration and a potentially more lucrative sponsorship deal that a medal would have secured. At the time, Milat had posted on Instagram, “4th in the World! So grateful to everyone that got me here 🫶✨🌏.”
The 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima also saw another Australian, Gout Gout, secure a silver medal in the men’s 200m. He finished behind a competitor who was 18 months older, raising questions about fair competition. Gout has an opportunity to claim a world junior gold medal later this year when he competes in Eugene, Oregon, opting for that event over the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Should he succeed, he will join Lewis as a 200m under-20 world champion.
