Florida Man Charged in Doping Conspiracy Targeting 2024 Olympics

Indictment alleges Paul Alexander Askew conspired to provide performance-enhancing drugs to influence major sporting events.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 46-year-old Jacksonville, Florida man named Paul Alexander Askew has been charged by federal indictment for conspiring to influence major international sports competitions through doping, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. The indictment alleges Askew conspired to provide performance-enhancing drugs to an athlete in a bid to impact events like the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, and the Paris Olympics.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing challenge of doping in elite sports and the efforts by U.S. authorities to crack down on those who seek to undermine the integrity of international competitions. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, signed into law in 2020, empowers U.S. prosecutors to pursue charges against individuals involved in doping schemes that impact American athletes, even if the perpetrators are non-U.S. citizens.

The details

According to the indictment, Askew conspired to provide performance-enhancing drugs to an athlete in a bid to influence athletics competitions from around July 2023 through January 2024. The alleged conspiracy sought to impact events such as the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 2024 United States Olympic Trials, and the Paris Olympics.

  • The alleged conspiracy took place from around July 2023 through January 2024.
  • The 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships are scheduled for March 2024.
  • The 2024 United States Olympic Trials are scheduled for June-July 2024.
  • The 2024 Paris Olympics are scheduled for July-August 2024.

The players

Paul Alexander Askew

A 46-year-old man from Jacksonville, Florida who has been charged by federal indictment for conspiring to influence major international sports competitions through doping.

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe

The U.S. Attorney who announced the charges against Askew in a press release.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)

The agency that welcomed the indictment under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, which empowers U.S. prosecutors to seek fines and jail terms for doping-related crimes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge will decide on Askew's bail status at a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle against doping in elite sports and the efforts by U.S. authorities to crack down on those who seek to undermine the integrity of international competitions through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act has given prosecutors new tools to pursue charges against individuals involved in doping schemes, even if they are non-U.S. citizens.