In December 2016 the International Skating Union (ISU) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Korean Athlete Park Jiwoo after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance clenbuterol in a low concentration. The Athlete participated at the ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Harbin, China, in November 2016 were she provided a sample for drug testing.
After notification of the violation the Athlete and the Korean Skating Union filed a Statement of Appeal in their defence. They argued that the Athlete’s previous anti-doping test on 28 October was negative and asserted that the concentration of clenbuterol found in the samples came from food contamination and that there have been many cases of meat contamination reported from China.
Considering the circumstances in this case the ISU Disciplinary Commission decided not to order a provisional suspension, holding that it is very likely that the adverse analytical finds results from food contamination. Also the Panel cannot find any fault or negligence committed by the Athlete. Due to the prohibition of importing food into China, the Athlete could not do more than restrict herself to the consumption of the meat provided by the organizer.
Therefore the ISU Disciplinary Commission decides on 20 March 2017 only to disqualify the Athlete’s results obtained at the ISU World Cup Speed Skating 2016 in Harbin, China.
