Stawell Gift champion fails drug test, slapped with ban
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The iconic Stawell Gift has been rocked by a drug test bombshell – and ADHD medication is at the centre of it.
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) confirmed with nine.com.au on Tuesday that Olufemi Komolafe, the winner of the prestigious men’s 120-metre race at this year’s Stawell Gift, had been handed a 12-month suspension after a banned substance was detected in his system.
Olufemi Komolafe after his Stawell Gift triumph. Maya Thompson/Getty Images
Several substances used to treat ADHD are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Nine.com.au understands at least one of those prohibited substances were found in Komolafe’s system.
According to the Herald Sun, the 21-year-old has been stripped of his Stawell Gift title and $40,000 winner’s cheque, though nine.com.au has not yet had that report confirmed.
“Stawell Gift Event Management (SGEM) is aware of a matter relating to the 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift that is currently subject to Sport Integrity Australia processes,” a SGEM statement said.
“SGEM respects the integrity of this process, including the rights of all parties involved.
“The integrity of competition is fundamental to the Stawell Gift. SGEM is committed to providing a fair and level playing field for every athlete and respects the established processes for dealing with matters of this nature.
“SGEM will continue to work with Sport Integrity Australia, the Victorian Athletic League, Stawell Athletic Club and other relevant stakeholders as the matter progresses.
“SGEM recognises the interests of all participating athletes. Until the Sport Integrity Australia process is complete, SGEM will not make any comment on the individual circumstances of the matter.”
Komolafe is a medical student from Adelaide. He is coached by 1985 Stawell Gift champion Paul Young.
The news comes two months after SIA chief executive Sarah Benson warned against the risks ADHD medication posed to athletes.
“I continue to see a significant number of inadvertent ani-doping rule violations relating to the use of ADHD medication by high-level Australian athletes come across my desk,” Benson said in July.
“Many of these athletes have legitimate reasons for taking ADHD medication to support their health and wellbeing.
“However, since these medications could be abused by athletes for performance improvement reasons, the tough reality is that they are banned under the World Anti-Doping Code if the athlete does not have a formal diagnosis.
Olufemi Komolafe after his win at Central Park. Maya Thompson/Getty Images
“Under the code, this is true even if they establish their diagnosis after the positive test, and they face a ban of one to four years.
“These are not the sort of cases I want to see, and I want to ensure that SIA is doing everything it can to help athletes and prevent these sorts of cases happening in the first place.
“It is imperative that athletes and their support staff fully understand their responsibilities when it comes to the use of ADHD medication and TUEs [therapeutic use exemption].”
Komolafe won the 144th edition of the Stawell Gift on the grass at Central Park on Easter Monday, running off 5.00 metres.
Jack Ireland, a sprinter from Warrandyte in country Victoria, finished second to Komolafe off a 4.50m mark.
