- CAS 1999/A/234 David Meca-Medina vs FINA
- CAS 1999/A/235 Igor Majcen vs FINA
- TAS 1999/A/234 David Meca-Medina v/ FINA
- TAS 1990/A/235 Igor Majcen v/ FINA
Related case:
CAS 2000/A/270 David Meca-Medina & Igor Majcen vs FINA
May 1, 2001
On 8 August 1999 the FINA Doping Panel decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Spanish swimmer David Meca-Medina and the Slovenian swimmer Igor Majcen after their A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).
Hereafter in August 1999 both Athletes appealed the FINA decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Athletes argued that there were departures of the standards for testing and laboratories; the substance in question was not prohibited; the positive tests were caused by the ingestion of pork offal; and the imposed sanction was too severe.
The Panel rejects the arguments that it was not their urine which was analysed and finds that the duration of the transport to the laborary had no effect on the validity of the test. The Panel holds that the chain of custody including the documentation was complete and satisfactory.
Further the Panel finds that the Athletes failed to establish that any alleged departure from the procedure could lead to genuine doubt on the reliability of any finding. They also failed to demonstrate that the positive tests was the result of the ingestion of meat injected with Nandrolone.
The Panel establishes that the substances in question were prohibited as part of the “related substances” before they were expressly included in the newer lists of anabolic androgenic steroids.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport decides on 29 February 2000 with respect to David Meca-Medina:
1.) The appeal is rejected as far as it is filed on behalf of David Meca-Medina.
2.) The suspension of David Meca-Medina is confirmed for a duration of 4 years from August 20, 1999 under deduction of 77 days of provisional suspension (May 14, 1999 to July 30, 1999).
3.) All results achieved by David Meca-Medina between January 31, 1999 and August 19, 1999 shall be cancelled.
4.) The award is pronounced without costs, except for the Court Office fee of CHF 500,- which shall be kept by the CAS (art. R65.2 of the Code)
5.) David Meca-Medina is ordered to pay an amount of CHF 4’000,- (together with interest at 5% from the date of the decision) to Respondent FINA as a contribution towards its legal fees and expenses (art. R65.3 of the Code).
The Court of Arbitration for Sport decides on 29 February 2000 with respect to Igor Majcen:
1.) The appeal is rejected as far as it is filed on behalf of Igor Majcen.
2.) The suspension of Igor Majcen is confirmed for a duration of 4 years from August 20, 1999 under deduction of 77 days of provisional suspension (May 14, 1999 to July 30, 1999).
3.) All results achieved by David Meca-Medina between January 31, 1999 and August 19, 1999 shall be cancelled.
4.) The award is pronounced without costs, except for the Court Office fee of CHF 500,- which shall be kept by the CAS (art. R65.2 of the Code)
5.) Igor Majcen is ordered to pay an amount of CHF 4’000,- (together with interest at 5% from the date of the decision) to Respondent FINA as a contribution towards its legal fees and expenses (art. R65.3 of the Code).