The New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSD) and Touch New Zealand (Touch NZ) have reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Respondent after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis.
After notification by Touch NZ the Respondent filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the Tribunal.
Respondent stated he had smoked cannabis at a party approximately two weeks before the tournament. The Tribunal accepted that the Respondent did not smoke the cannabis with the intention of enhancing his performance at the tournament and was unaware that cannabis was a banned substance.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal of New Zealand decides to impose a reprimand and a warning on the Respondent.
Each party will bear their own costs.
