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 Canrenone (metabolite of Spironolactone). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and Respondent was heard for the Tribunal.
Respondent admitted the violation and gave evidence that it was due to her use of Sprionolactone that she had been prescribed for a medical condition. She was first prescribed Spironolactone in 2005 and this prescription was repeated when she later became a patient of a different GP, who is also a sports doctor, in 2008. Respondent is a former New Zealand equestrian representative but had not competed in that sport for some time. She took up running in 2008 and in 2010 won, or achieved places, in regional and national competitions.
On the evidence, Respondent did not advise her current doctor at any stage that she was now running at a national level nor did she check with the doctor whether her prescribed medication may possibly be banned in sport. Her doctor was not aware she was competing at a national level, otherwise her doctor would have advised Respondent to apply for a therapeutic use exemption.
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) was granted to Respondent following an application made after the drug test, for six month effective from 28 April 2011.
The Tribunal considers that Respondent did not take Spironolactone to enhance her performance and that she was clearly not a “drugs cheat”. However, an athlete cannot avoid personal responsibility by “leaving it” to a doctor.
Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Respondent starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 5 May 2011.
