MARTHA BAYONA BANNED FOR WHEREABOUTS FAILURES

9 February 2026: Colombian track sprinter Martha Bayona has been handed an 18-month ban by the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal after recording three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period — a ruling she has said she will accept.

The suspension has been backdated to 23 April 2025 and will run until 22 October 2026, preventing Bayona from competing or taking part in UCI-sanctioned cycling activities during that time.

The case does not involve a positive drug test. Instead, it relates to failures within the whereabouts system, which requires athletes to provide accurate location information and be available for unannounced testing. Under anti-doping rules, three failures in a year automatically trigger a sanction, regardless of intent.

What has resonated most strongly, however, are Bayona’s own words in response to the decision.

In comments reported by Cyclingnews, Bayona spoke openly about the period in which the failures occurred, describing it as the most difficult time of her life. She explained that she was dealing with the death of her father, living away from home, and experiencing deep loneliness and emotional exhaustion.

She said she felt “very alone” during that time, and acknowledged that she was struggling mentally. While she accepted responsibility for the failures, she made clear that they came amid grief and isolation rather than disregard for the rules.

Bayona also stressed that she has never failed a drug test and that the case relates purely to administrative failures. Even so, she recognised that the system does not allow for exceptions once the threshold is crossed, and that elite athletes are ultimately responsible for compliance at all times.

At 30 years old, Bayona has been one of Colombia’s standout track cyclists of the past decade, earning multiple World Championship silver medals and becoming a consistent presence on the international sprint stage. The ban represents a painful interruption to a career built over many years.

Her response to the ruling was not defensive or dismissive, but reflective. She framed the sanction as something she must live with and learn from, while also being honest about how much she has been carrying personally.

Cases like this sit in an uncomfortable space within elite sport. Whereabouts failures are never excusable under the rules, but they can still happen during moments when athletes are dealing with loss, mental health struggles and life events that sit far beyond the track.

Bayona’s willingness to speak openly about grief and loneliness gives important context to a system that often feels impersonal. It is a reminder that behind every ruling is a human being, not just a name on a decision document.

The months ahead will be about healing, reflection and rebuilding. And while the ban stands, it is also worth saying this clearly: no athlete should feel they have to carry such moments alone.

Sport can be unforgiving, but community does not have to be. Even in the hardest situations, reaching out matters — to friends, teammates, family, or anyone willing to listen. You are not alone.

This article is an independent summary of reporting originally published by Cycling News.

Original source:
Cycling News