In July 2015 the International Cycling Union (UCI) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Italian cyclist Luca Paolini after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cocaine.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete waived an Acceptance of Consequences, he filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal (UCI-ADT).
The Athlete gave a prompt admission, explained that the use of the substance was recreational, out-of-competion, unrelated to competition and not intentional.
Considering the findings the Tribunal finds that the Athlete regularly and intentionally consumed a substance that is prohibited in-competition and that there is no basis to assume that he acted “with utmost care”, i.e. with “No Fault or Negligence”.
Therefore the UCI-ADT decides on 13 April 2016 to impose an 18 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 7 July 2015. The sanction is including disqualification of his results and payment of costs and expenses.
