In March 2023 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Russian tennis player Vladislav Ivanov for his evasion, refusal or failure to submit to sample collection. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the ITF Disciplinary Tribunal.

Anti-Doping Personnel reported that on 14 September 2022, the Athlete did not attend immediately the Doping Control Station at the tournament in Morocco. Instead following notification he shouted at the Chaperone, threw the paperwork on the grount and went to his hotel.

After the Athlete had received a new nofication he first watched a match of friends and had discussions. Only two and a half hours after he had received notification from the Chaperone he attended the Doping Control Center and provided a sample.

The Athlete denied the charges and disputed the testimonies of the Chaperone, the Doping Control Officer and the Tournament Official. He believed that he had permission to go to his hotel room.

He asserted that at the tournament he indeed had provided a sample. He acknowledged that he had received anti-doping education and had been tested.

Because the Athlete previously had received anti-doping education and had been tested two weeks before the incident the Tribunal Panel considers that he should have understand his obligations as an Athlete.

The Panel establishes that the Athlete provided different and confusing explanations to justify his conduct. Further the Panel determines that he knew or should have known that he was not allowed to delay the provision of the Sample and nothing should have made him legitimately think that he was authorised not to give it at that moment.

The Panel deems that the Athlete understood the situation and took a conscious decision not to comply with the request. The Panell believes that the he simply decided not to provide the sample at that moment and went directly to the hotel without permission to do so.

The Panel concludes that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation by refusing to provide a sample when asked to do so. He also failed to demonstrate that this violation was justified because of exceptional circumstances.

Therefore the Independent Tribunal decides on 21 December 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

In September 2022 the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Polish rider Katarzyna Milczarek after her sample tested positive for Testosterone and its metabolites.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and the FEI tribunal rendered a decision based on the written submissions of the Parties.

The Athlete gave a prompt admission, denied the intentional use of the substance and requested for a reduced sanction. She explained with evidence that the source of the postive test was her medication she had used as treatment for her diagnosed condition.

The Athlete asserted that she had mentioned her medication on the Doping Control Form and that prior she had not received anti-doping education. She was unaware that this medication contained a prohibited substance, neither that she needed a valid TUE.

The Athlete made an application for a retrospective TUE for Prasterone. However this application was denied in February 2023 due to the medication was deemed not appropriate as treatment for her condition.

FEI accepted that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that she had demonstrated with evidence how the prohibited substance had entered her system. Following assessment of the Athlete's conduct and the filed evidence FEI determines that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

The Panel agrees that the Athlete's violation was not intentional. Further the Panel concludes that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence and that there are grounds for a reduced sanction.

Therefore the FEI Tribunal decides on 11 March 2024 to impose only a 16 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 27 September 2022.

In April 2023 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Tom Curwen after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Amfetamine.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel.

The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the substance and requested for a reduced sanction. He explained that at the relevant time he had mental health issues and was coping with the difficulties and challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the Athlete was diagnosed with ADHD in July 2022 he was unaware that he suffered from any medical or mental healt condition. However until Elvanse (Methylphenidate) had been prescribed in January 2023 he had experienced severe side effects from the previous prescribed medications that effected his mental state.

The Athlete acknowledged that when he returned to rugby in December 2022 he did not check his medication, nor made a TUE application. Yet, when he was tested in February 2023 he mentioned Elvanse on the Doping Control Form.

After the positive test in April 2023 the Athlete's application for a retrospective TUE was rejected. Moreover, pending the issue of a required psychiatric report, for months he was unable to make an application for a prospective TUE.

UKAD accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional. However UKAD dismissed that he had acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

In view of the evidence the Panel agrees that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that he had acted with a degree of negligence. Further the Panel determines that the Athlete has demonstrated that his ADHD led to cognitive impairment and that this was linked to the circumstances surrounding the commission of the violations.

Therefore the Panel decides on 2 Febuary 2024 to impose an 18 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 6 April 2023.

In February 2024 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf on World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Winnie Jemutai Boinett after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Testosterone and its metabolites.

Following notification the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. The Athlete explained that she had received several medical treatments in hospitals for her injury without having corroborating documents.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because she had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 11 March 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 29 February 2024.

In June 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the wrestler Pooja Dhanda. INADA contended the Athlete had 3 Whereabouts Failures within a 12 month period:

• a Filing Failure for July-September 2022;
• a Filing Failure October-December 2022; and 
• a Filing Failure / Missed Test on 21 December 2022.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).

The Athlete denied the charges and requested for a reduced sanction. She asserted that she timely had submitted her Whereabouts for Q4-2022. 

She acknowledged the Missed Test on 21 December 2022. Nevertheless she was available for sample collection and alternatively on the same day she provided a sample.

The Athlete claimed that there had been substantial delays in the notification of her Whereabouts Failures. Further she alleged that she was hampered by technical problems when she attempted to enter her Whereabouts in ADAMS.

The Panel finds that 3 Whereabouts Failures had been established and accordingly that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Panel deems that she acted with a light degree of fault.

Therefore the ADDPI decided on 5 December 2023 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the dat of the Provisional suspension, i.e. on 15 June 2023.

In September 2023 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rower Lebone Mokheseng. Following notification the Athlete was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Tribunal. 

SAIDS contended that the Athlete had 3 Whereabouts Failures within a 12 month period:

• a Filing Failure / Missed Test on 8 June 2023;
• a Filing Failure / Missed Test on 14 June 2023; and
• a Filing Failure / Missed Test on 12 September 2023.

The Athlete denied the charges and he requested for a reduced sanction. He explained that he already had retired from rowing at the time of the first test.

He testified about his personal circumstances and the problems he had in the family whereas he was hampered by the lack of assistance from Rowing South Africa (RSA). After he officially had resigned he assumed that the RSA should have notified SAIDS about his resignation.

The Panel accepted the Athlete's explanations and finds that he acted not intentional since he offically had resigned from RSA. Further the Panel deems that there are grounds for a reduced sanction and that he can continue his current job as a rowing coach.

Therefore the Panel decides on 29 January 2024 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the 3rd Whereabouts Failure, i.e. on 12 September 2023.

In September 2023 United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Jack Little after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Higenamine. Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered.

The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the substance and disputed the sanction proposed by UKAD. Thereupon he accepted the sanction and waived his right for a hearing.

The Athlete explained that he had used a recommended supplement Shredabull Untamed 2.0, purchased from a sports nutrition store. He asserted that Higenamine was not mentioned on the bottle label as ingredient, yet instead mentioned as nandina domestic extract.

in view of the evidence UKAD accepted that the Athlete's violation was not intentional, yet deems that he acted with some degree of negligence. Further UKAD considers that prior he had not received any anti-doping education.

Therefore UKAD decides on 8 March 2024 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 29 September 2023.

NADO Flanders reported two anti-doping rule violations against the weightlifter for use and possession after the police found in the Athlete's residence in November 2022 the prohibited substance Metandienone Boldenone, Nandrolone, Oxymetholone and Testosterone. 

After notification the Athlete failed to attend the hearing of the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission and a Decision was rendered in absentia of the Athlete.

Prior the Athlete had admitted these violations and stated that he had followed a course of treatment 5 or 6 times. In view of the evidence the Commission determines that the Athlete possessed a high number of prohibited substances and intentionally had used these banned products

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

In 2023 NADO Flanders reported two anti-doping rule violations against the weightlifter for possession and use of a prohibited substance. Previously the police had informed NADO Flanders that in April 2023 they had found Stanozolol in possession of the Athlete.

After notification the Athlete was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission. The Athlete admitted the violations and stated that he had purchased this product online.

In view of the evidence and the admission the Commission finds that the Athlete intentionally had committed these anti-doping rule violations.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

In 2023 NADO Flanders reported two anti-doping rule violations against the weightlifter for possession and use of prohibited substances. After notification the Athlete was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission.

Previously the police had informed NADO Flanders that in July 2022 they had found Cannabis in possession of the Athlete. Thereupon the police searched his residence and found a large number of products containing multiple prohibited substances:

• Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone;
• Mesterolone;
• Metandienone;
• Nandrolone;
• Oxandrolone;
• Oxymetholone;
• Stanozolol; and
• Testosterone.

The Athlete admitted the possession and stated that he had used these substances for 2 years. Prior he had used prescription Testosterone and because of the costs he purchased it on the internet.

In view of the evidence and the admission the Commission finds that the Athlete intentionally had committed these anti-doping rule violations.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.