Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Respondent after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Furosemide. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and Respondent was heard for the Tribunal.
Respondent admitted the violation and gave evidence, accepted by the Tribunal, that she had consulted her doctor about a medical condition and he prescribed furosemide to treat this. The doctor misstated the status of Furosemide when he advised her not to take it “close to” or “around competition” when in fact Furosemide is a prohibited substance in sports not to be taken in or out of competition. Respondent accepted this advice and confirmed it with a pharmacist but took no further steps to check this advice with Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFS) or clarify what were the parameters of “close to” or “around competition”.
Furosemide reduces fluid retention and can reduce weight and potentially have performance enhancing consequences for a boxer trying to fit in a certain weight division. However, the Tribunal accepted Respondent’s evidence that this was not the case and the Furosemide was taken to treat her medical condition and was not intended to enhance her sports performance.
The Tribunal regarded this case as more serious than other cases it had dealt with concerning prohibited substances being mistakenly prescribed because of Respondent’s explicit knowledge that there was an issue about Furosemide and her failure to clarify the position. Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on Respondent, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 17 February 2010.
