Operation Refuge : An Examination of Doping Among Minors / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2024

Contents:

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Background
• Stories of Impact
• The ADO Perspective
• Testing and Results Management Data
• Intelligence Reporting
• Research Overview
• WADA Initiatives
• Conclusions
• Recommendations

‘Operation Refuge’ reports in detail about the deep trauma and isolation child athletes experience following a positive test and doping sanction. Undertaken by WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Department, the report shines a light on the immense challenges faced by minors, their families and the anti-doping community when a child tests positive for a prohibited substance or method. The report delivers a number of conclusions and identifies important areas for improvement on this issue. 

In early 2021, WADA’s Confidential Information Unit (CIU) observed an increase in confidential reporting of doping activity amongst minors, including pre-teen athletes. While the lack of detail in many of these reports prevented substantive enforcement action, WADA followed up every case and launched investigations where appropriate. 

WADA was concerned by the nature and volume of reporting, leading to the commencement of ‘Operation Refuge’. It examined the doping activities of minors with a view to identifying any patterns of offending, any deficiencies in governance, and any possible strategies on how better to address the issue of doping amongst minors. 

A key aspect of ‘Operation Refuge’ was the firsthand accounts obtained from not only minors who had committed doping violations, but also their family and support networks. Although these experiences were shared with WADA on condition of anonymity, such was the impact of these accounts that permission was obtained from some to share their stories in the report. 

From the firsthand accounts that were obtained, six key themes emerged, namely: 

• Trauma; 
• Isolation; 
• Impact; 
• Pressure; 
• Ignorance, and; 
• Abandonment 

The report details information obtained from human intelligence (e.g., interviews, informants), data analysis, external academic study, open-source research, and the anti-doping community. 

In October 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Ugandan Athlete Prisca Chesang after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Furosemide.

Following notification the Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and could not explain how the substance had entered her system. Further she objected to accept a provisional suspension.

Nevertheless in December 2023 the provisional suspension was ordered and thereupon in Januari 2024 the Athlete's legal representatives informed the AIU that they had withdrawn from representing the Athlete. Hereafter the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications.

The AIU concludes that the Athlete failed to prove that the violation was not intentional, nor the source of the prohibited substance. Because she did not respond within the set deadline the AIU determines in January 2024 that she was deemed to have admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the consequences.

Therefore the AIU decides on 23 January 2024 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 6 December 2023.

In December 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Ayub Kiptum after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Testosterone.

Following notification the Athlete initially failed to respond to the AIU communication. Ultimately in January 2024 the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

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

Therefore the AIU decides on 19 January 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 22 December 2023.

In December 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Hosea Kimeli Kisorio after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

Following notification the Athlete initially failed to respond to the communications of the AIU. Ultimately in January 2024 the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

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

Therefore the AIU decides on 18 January 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 1 December 2023.

In August 2023 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Adam Rusling after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Cocaine and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and their metabolites.

Following notification the Athlete admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by UKAD. The Athlete admitted that he had used Cocaine and MDMA out-of-competition and recreational at his home.

Therefore UKAD decides on 11 January 2024 to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 2 August 2023. Because the Athlete already has served his period of inelibility he is eligible to participate in sport forthwith.

In June 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rower Malak Singh after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Mephentermine and Phentermine.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI). The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and could not explain how the substances had entered into his system.

The Panel finds that the presence of the prohibited substances has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he had committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Panel deems that he failed to demonstrate how these substances had entered his system.

Therefore the ADDPI decides on 11 January 2024 to impose a 4 year period of inelgibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 27 June 2023.

In June 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kabaddi Athlete Durgesh Kumar after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Metandienone.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and he was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI). The Athlete denied the use of the prohibited substance and could not explain how it had entered his system.

The Panel finds that the presence of prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Panel deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.

Therefore the ADDPI decides on 10 January 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 9 June 2023.

In June 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the judoka Mohsin Gulab Ali after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Enobosarm (Ostarine).

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

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and he argued that he had succesfully participated in competitions for mayy years. He also had been tested many times without issues.

The Athlete stated that he was involved in an altercation with another athlete and his entourage. After the positive test he alleged that he was the victim of sabotage and that he had filed criminal charges against these persons.

The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's samples and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation.

The Panel deems that he failed to demonstrate with corroboration evidence that the violation was not intentional, nor grounds for a reduced sanction.

Therefore the ADDPI decides on 10 January 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 20 June 2023.

In June 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Parathlete Ranjeet Bhati after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone.

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

The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained that he had used the substance as prescribed medication and that he was unware of the anti-doping rules and prohibited substances.

The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. He failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.

Furthermore the Panel considers that the Athlete had not checked this medication, failed to mention this medication on the Doping Control Form, nor made an application for a TUE. Also he did not show with corroborating evidence that he indeed had informed his doctor that was an athlete subjected to doping control.

Therefore the ADDPI decides on 9 January 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 5 June 2023.

In September 2023 United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) charged the triathlon Athlete Louis Walker for committing an anti-doping rule violation after Clenbuterol had been found in his possesion in February 2023 and this was reported to his coach and UKAD.

Following notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by UKAD.

The Athlete admitted the possession and use of Clenoxin tablets (Clenbuterol). He statet that he had used it at a time of difficult personal circumstances to assist him for losing weight and for body image.

UKAD deems that the Athlete's violation was intentional and determines that he shall receive a 1 year reduction for his timely admission of the anti-doping rule violation.

Therefore UKAD decides on 5 January 2024 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 27 September 2023.