Tandara Caixeta faces new suspension until 2027 for violating prior ban at master tournament Por Luís Henrique Costa
7 min de leitura
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Tandara Caixeta, Olympic volleyball champion from London 2012, received a new two-year suspension for violating her previous doping ban, as announced by the Brazilian Anti-Doping Authority (ABCD) on July 5, 2025. The 36-year-old athlete participated in the Brazilian Master Championship in Santos, São Paulo, in May 2025, while still serving a four-year suspension for using ostarine, a banned substance detected in 2021 during the Tokyo Olympics. The new sanction, effective until July 6, 2027, was imposed because she breached rules prohibiting training with teams or competing in events during her suspension. The decision, published on the ABCD’s official website, delays Tandara’s return to professional courts and reignites debates about anti-doping regulations in Brazilian sports.
Tandara’s participation in the master tournament, organized by the National Sports Association (ANE), sparked controversy as the event received support from the Santos Sports Department, violating the Brazilian Anti-Doping Code. The athlete, who played for RS Volleyball in the over-30 category and won the title, has not issued an official statement on the matter. Her career, marked by achievements like the Olympic gold and a bronze at the 2014 World Championship, now faces another setback, with Tandara only able to return to volleyball at age 38.
- Key case facts: Tandara’s initial suspension began in 2021 after testing positive for ostarine.
- Santos event: The master tournament is not linked to the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) but had public support.
- Career impact: The new penalty delays her professional comeback plans.
- Violated rules: Articles 165 and 168 of the Brazilian Anti-Doping Code were breached.
Tandara’s case underscores the strictness of anti-doping rules and raises questions about suspended athletes participating in amateur competitions. Below, the case details and its implications are explored in depth.
Details of Tandara’s new suspension
Tandara Caixeta’s new suspension was formalized after the ABCD identified a violation of her prior penalty. The athlete, sidelined since 2021, competed in an amateur tournament in Santos, breaching article 168 of the Brazilian Anti-Doping Code. This article prohibits suspended athletes from training with teams or using facilities of clubs affiliated with entities signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code. Additionally, article 165 bans participation in national-level events funded by public bodies, as was the case with the Santos tournament, supported by the local government.
The initial four-year suspension, imposed in 2022, stemmed from a positive test for ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that enhances muscle mass and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The test was conducted on July 7, 2021, before the Tokyo Olympics, but Tandara was notified during the event, being removed before the semifinal against South Korea. The Brazilian team secured a silver medal, but Tandara returned to Brazil without completing the tournament.
Tandara has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming accidental contamination through supplements and noting that the detected ostarine level was minimal, unlikely to affect her performance. Despite her defense, the Anti-Doping Sports Justice Tribunal (TJD-AD) upheld the maximum penalty, and she still has the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
The master tournament and controversy
The Brazilian Master Championship in Santos is a traditional event for former athletes and amateurs, unaffiliated with the CBV. Tandara played for RS Volleyball, trained at the José Liberatti Gymnasium, where Osasco competes in the Superliga. The team, coached by pastor Raquel Santiago, included other professional athletes like Fabíola, strengthening the doping violation claim, as suspensions prohibit joint training with active athletes.
- Tournament organization: Held by the ANE with support from the Santos Sports Department.
- Tandara’s participation: She won the over-30 category, drawing attention to the case.
- Public evidence: Social media images confirmed Tandara’s presence at the event.
- Immediate consequences: The ABCD launched an investigation after learning of her participation.
The Santos government confirmed logistical support for the tournament, aggravating the violation, as article 165 prohibits suspended athletes from competing in publicly funded events. The new two-year suspension, effective from July 7, 2025, postpones Tandara’s return until July 2027.
Tandara’s volleyball career
Tandara Caixeta is one of Brazil’s most prominent volleyball players. Born in Brasília, she began her career at 16 in the 2005 Superliga and shone as an opposite hitter for clubs like Osasco, Pinheiros, Sesi, Campinas, and Praia Clube. Her time with the Brazilian national team yielded eight gold medals, including the 2012 Olympics, three Grand Prix (2014, 2016, 2017), the 2013 Champions Cup, the 2017 Montreux Masters, the 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, and the 2017 South American Championship. She also earned two silvers and a bronze at the 2014 World Championship.
Outside volleyball, Tandara ventured into politics, running for federal deputy in 2022 with MDB (7,412 votes) and for city councilor in 2024 with PL (1,896 votes), both unsuccessfully. Her career, defined by dedication to volleyball, now faces a significant setback with the new suspension.
- Major achievements: Olympic gold in 2012, World Championship bronze in 2014, three Grand Prix.
- Notable clubs: Osasco, Praia Clube, Sesi, and Guangzhou Evergrande (China).
- Individual highlight: Superliga MVP in the 2011/2012 season.
- Political career: Unsuccessful bids in 2022 and 2024.
Anti-doping rules and their implications
Anti-doping regulations are stringent to ensure sports integrity. Ostarine, the substance Tandara tested positive for, is widely used for muscle gain but banned by WADA for its anabolic effects. Violating a suspension, as in Tandara’s case, can lead to additional penalties ranging from two to four years, depending on severity.
The ABCD adheres to the World Anti-Doping Code, which sets clear guidelines for suspended athletes. Participation in tournaments, even amateur ones, may constitute a violation if public resources or professional athletes are involved. Tandara’s case highlights the need for athletes to understand suspension restrictions fully.
- Ostarine: Anabolic substance enhancing physical performance.
- World Anti-Doping Code: Prohibits training and competing during suspensions.
- Additional penalties: Can double the initial suspension period, as with Tandara.
- Appeal option: Possible recourse to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Reactions and next steps
Tandara’s new suspension sparked debates among fans and experts. Many question whether participation in an amateur tournament warrants such a harsh penalty, while others support the strict rules to uphold sports credibility. Tandara, who had been sharing her training routine on social media, showed intentions of returning to professional volleyball in 2025, but now must wait two more years.
An appeal to the CAS remains an option, though the process can be lengthy and uncertain. For now, Tandara remains sidelined, and her career, already marked by challenges, gains another controversial chapter. The case serves as a warning to other athletes about fully complying with anti-doping sanctions.
- Public debate: Fans divided over the penalty’s severity.
- Disrupted plans: Volleyball comeback postponed to 2027.
- CAS appeal: Last chance to reverse the suspension.
- Case lessons: Need for clear guidance for suspended athletes.
Tandara’s legacy and volleyball’s future
Tandara Caixeta remains an iconic figure in Brazilian volleyball, despite the controversies. Her skill as an opposite hitter and contributions to the national team’s successes are undeniable. However, the doping case and new suspension raise questions about the impact of personal decisions on high-performance athletes’ careers.
Brazilian volleyball remains strong with emerging talents, as seen in the recent League of Nations semifinal against Poland. Meanwhile, Tandara’s case underscores the need for ongoing anti-doping education, particularly for amateur competitions that may seem harmless.
- Tandara’s legacy: Olympic gold and prominence in national and international clubs.
- Brazilian volleyball: Continues competitive with rising stars.
- Anti-doping education: Critical to prevent accidental violations.
- Uncertain future: Tandara returns to courts only at age 38.
