19-year-old Issam Asinga files lawsuit against Gatorade demanding compensation in millions after four-year doping ban by AIU 

Issam Asinga has filed a lawsuit against Gatorade, an American brand of sports-themed beverage and food products that offered him ‘contaminated’ gummies which led to his four-year ban. In the lawsuit, the 19-year-old has demanded compensation for all the losses he has made so far.

Issam Asinga was a huge prospect to make the Olympic team for Suriname but the ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit is a huge setback for him. He has also been stripped of his world under-20 record in the 100m and lost the Nike deal, worth millions.

Following his ban, he missed a chance to compete at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and also lost his four-year scholarship to Texas A&M University. Issam Asinga now wants to be compensated for the losses.

"Issam’s claims are for strict product liability, negligence, negligent marketing, breach of express and implied warranties, negligent and intentional, infliction of emotional distress, and deceptive trade practices. He seeks to recoup the millions of dollars he has lost in economic opportunities, as well as compensation for the devastating emotional harm he has suffered," a part of the statement read.

Meanwhile, in 2023, Issam Asinga was named the Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year 2023 and was gifted recovery gummies that he claims were responsible for his testing positive for the banned substance GW1516.

To prove himself not guilty, Issam Asinga requested a sample of the gummies to be tested by the AIU but the tests came out negative.

The negative tests from Gatorade proved them not guilty of contaminating Asinga and the youngster was responsible for his offense. The company also responded to the claims, insisting that their products were safe for consumption by sports people and that Asinga was falsely accusing them.

"The product in question is completely safe and the claims made are false. … Gatorade products are FDA compliant and safe for athlete consumption, which was validated by the findings of the Athletics Integrity Unit investigation," Gatorade said in a statement.

Issam Asinga's performances in 2023

Issam Asinga banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit(Source: Issam Asinga Instagram)

Before his ban, Issam Asinga featured frequently during the 2023 season across 60m, 100m and 200m.

In 60m, the teenager triumphed at the New Balance Nationals Indoor after clocking 6.59 seconds in the final. He also took first spot at the Millrose Games. In 100m, the Surinamese triumphed at the Florida Relays, the PURE Athletics Spring Invitational and the South American Athletics Championships.

He also won the 200m race at the South American Athletics Championships and the Hurricane Alumni Invitational.