In June 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Lithuanian Athlete Zita Kosač after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Mestanolone, Methasterone and Oxymetholone.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence. She believed that her supplement was the source of the prohibited substances.
With approval of the AIU the Athlete provided an open container of this supplement and a sealed container (from a different batch) to the Warshaw Lab for testing. Thereupon analysis in the Lab confirmed the presence of these prohibited substances in both containers of this supplement.
The Athlete asserted that the supplement was the source of the prohibited substances and that she had mentioned this product on the Doping Control Form. Ultimately in February 2024 she signed and submitted an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance Form.
In view of the evidence the AIU accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that she demonstrated how the substances had entered her system. The AIU determines that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Further the AIU considers that the prohibited substances were not mentioned on the product label of this supplement and that she had participated into a Marathon in September 2023 during the provisional suspension.
Therefore the AIU decides on 16 February 2024 to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting backdated on 25 July 2023.
