In March 2011 the International Biathlon Union (IBU) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Oksana Kvostenko after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance ephedrine.
The IBU notified the Athlete and the Biathlon Federation of Ukraine of the violation, but no provisional suspension was ordered by the Biathlon Federation of Ukraine. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the Doping Hearing Panel of the IBU.
The Athlete stated she fell ill with the flu in March 2011 while her breathing problems became serious and coughing deteriorated. The team doctor ordered her to take Broncholytin syrup as medication. The Athlete was not aware that this medication could only be used during training and had no intention to enhance her performance. The team doctor did not know that the medication was used during competition.
Considering the circumstance the Panel concludes that the Athlete had no intention to enhance sport performance but she also acted negligently due to she failed to research the ingredients before using the medication.
Therefore the Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 13 March 2011.
