Alysha Newman has been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after breaking anti-doping whereabouts rules.
The Canadian pole vaulter, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been slapped with her provisional suspension after reportedly missing three doping tests across a 12-month period.
Due to the provisional suspension, it means Newman will be banned from competing temporarily until a final decision is made at a hearing conducted by the AIU. The governing body has also not released details on when her missed tests occurred.
A whereabouts failure is an anti-doping rule violation that occurs when an athlete does not submit accurate location information or is unavailable for scheduled testing.
Athletes are required to regularly update their location using a mobile app and provide a one-hour time slot during which anti-doping testing can be conducted.
Athletics Canada responded to the news of Newman’s appealable suspension in a statement on Wednesday.
Athlete Alysha Newman has been suspended after breaking anti-doping whereabouts rules
The pole vaulter, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics, is also on adult platform OnlyFans
The 31-year-old pole vaulter went viral at the 2024 Paris Olympics after twerking in celebration
The statement read: ‘This is an unfortunate situation and Athletics Canada hopes to see Alysha Newman back as part of our National Team Program when she is eligible.’
Indian high jumper Pooja Aatmaram has also been handed a suspension by the AIU for ‘evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection’.
Newman has not vaulted so far in 2026, having only competed sporadically last year.
The 31-year-old pole vaulter went viral at the 2024 Paris Olympics after celebrating exuberantly by twerking upon winning bronze and setting a personal best of 4.85 metres.
Newman, who has since taken to OnlyFans, now balances her life as both a model and sportswoman.
‘When I was a little girl, I was told I had to choose: be an athlete or be a model. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t be both,’ she said in October 2025. ‘But for a long time, I believed them and chose athletics. I poured my heart and soul into it.’
Newman spoke to Daily Mail Sport back in 2022 about her decision to join OnlyFans.
‘Whether I liked it or not, I was sexualised in the sport naturally by what I wear, and my beauty,’ she said.
Failing whereabouts rules, she reportedly missed three doping tests across a 12-month period
She said in 2022 that she wanted to control how she was sexualised by going on OnlyFans
‘If I showed up in full leggings and a sports bra that covered my stomach, people would still sexualise me. I mean, it just never stops.
‘When I decided to launch OnlyFans, it was really important for me to be a part of something I could control.’
