ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2026

High Altitude And High Stakes: A Recent Anti-doping Appeal To CAS

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Recent anti-doping cases reveal the harsh reality facing professional athletes who fail to properly document and verify substances entering their bodies. Even when prescribed by team doctors, players bear ultimate responsibility for prohibited substances, with career-ending consequences for those who delegate this critical duty.

BoliviaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Matthew Wallace

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This insight explores the nuanced and sometimes harsh reality of punishments for anti-doping offences. Recent cases highlight that players must be acutely aware of their bodily integrity and ensure to protect themselves against ingesting any banned substances, even those that may be prescribed to them by their own team doctors.

Background

Boris Cespedes is a Bolivian professional footballer, who was 29 at the outset of the 2024/2025 season and played for Yverdon-Sport FC of the Swiss Super League. On 18 March 2025, Cespedes reported for international duty with the Bolivian National Team (FBF), set to play in two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Peru on 21 March 2025 and Uruguay on 25 March 2025. The team arrived in Peru on 18 March 2025 with the match due to take place in a venue at a high altitude. As a result of this, the player claims that on 21 and/or 22 of March 2025, he was prescribed altitude sickness medication by the team doctor.

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