Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The men’s winner of this year’s Stawell Gift, Olufemi Komolafe, has been stripped of the title and his prizemoney over over a failed drug test.
The 21-year-old South Australian medical student won the prestigious Easter Monday 120m sprint in April off five metres in a time of 12.03 seconds, pocketing the $40,000 winner’s cheque.
The Victorian Athletic League and Stawell Gift Event Management both released statements on Wednesday, and athletics sources with knowledge of the matter confirmed Komolafe had been stripped of his Stawell win and would lose the prizemoney.
Komalafe failed a drug test after inadvertently taking a banned substance, two sources confirmed.
Jake Ireland, who came second, is expected to be elevated to the winner.
Ireland said it was not the way he wanted to be called a Stawell Gift winner.
“Ninety percent of winning is crossing the line and celebrating with your family and friends,” Ireland said.
“I certainly don’t feel like a winner, maybe that’s the competitor in me. I was not first over the line.
“I suppose this year has got an asterisk to it. I would hate to come across as gloating or rubbing it in.
“It was not like a blatant cheating where it’s deliberate; it was accidental. I feel for him, too, I know he is in a horrible place.”
Stawell Gift Event Management said it was aware of a matter relating to the 2026 Stawell Gift that was now being examined by Sport Integrity Australia processes.
“SGEM respects the integrity of this process, including the rights of all parties involved,” the organisation posted on Instagram.
“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.”
The Victorian Athletic League’s statement said it could “confirm an integrity issue and process is underway with an athlete related to the 2026 Stawell Gift”.
“We can’t comment at this stage until the process is completed by Sport Integrity Australia,” it added.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.
