The 45-year-old Sturm and a physiotherapist are suspected of violating the anti-doping law
An investigation has been opened against former boxing world champion Felix Sturm due to a possibly prohibited use of an infusion. This was confirmed to ARD by the Düsseldorf public prosecutor’s office. Sturm, 45, and a physiotherapist are suspected of violating the anti-doping law.
Following an ARD report last year, the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) called in the public prosecutor’s office. NADA had “forwarded the facts of the case to the responsible public prosecutor’s office on the basis of the anti-doping law after the ARD report was broadcast,” NADA CEO Lars Mortsiefer told the SID at the time; it was a so-called informational notification.
Sturm had been seen on social media in January 2023 in a photo showing him during an infusion with a physiotherapist and alternative practitioner. His practice published the photo and ARD confronted NADA with the incident.
Infusions in which more than 100 milliliters of fluid are administered within twelve hours are prohibited for competitive athletes. They are on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because they can conceal doping substances in the body. The WADA prohibition list is also the basis of the German anti-doping law. Exceptions are emergency treatments or special permits.
According to the anti-doping law, Sturm and his coach face a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years in the event of an indictment – provided he can be proven to have doped. Sturm, who was sentenced to a prison term for tax evasion in 2020, has a criminal record.
Under sports law, Sturm will probably not have to fear any consequences because the German Professional Boxing Association (BDB) has not submitted to the WADA Code. Moreover, infusions are not explicitly mentioned in the association’s doping regulations
According to sportschau.de, the alternative practitioner who administered the infusion to Sturm confirmed to the ARD doping editorial team before the article was published that Sturm had received 250 milliliters of saline solution plus alleged vitamin C.
Sturm was last active as a boxer in December 2023, when he defeated Sükrü Altay from Turkey. A subsequent fight has not yet been scheduled
