The Bulgarian Rowing Federation has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Milka Dimitrova Manchorova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance recombinant human erythropoetin (rhEPO).
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered by the Bulgarian Rowing Federation.
Without a hearing the FISA Doping Hearing Panel rules on the basis of the written submissions of the Athlete and the Bulgarian Rowing Federation.
The Bulgarian Rowing Federation submitted, on behalf of the Athlete, that the prior to the doping test the Athlete was hospitalised for five day due to heavy drinking resulting in bleedings. In the hospital rhEPO was administered to the Athlete. The Federation indicated that the Athlete has now been retired from competition.
The FISA Doping Hearing Panel is faced with very little evidence consisting only of the hospital report, the explanation given in writing by the federation and the expert medical opinion acquired by FISA. It is not in a strong position to look deeply into the facts, particularly; the reasons behind the hospitalisation and the injury / illness the athlete was suffering; the treatment the athlete received including the administration of rhEPO and the relevance of that treatment; and, the circumstances in which the athlete did not mention the hospitalisation or the medication administered on the form at the time of undergoing the test.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete acted negligently because she failed to research which medication was administered in the hospital and without mentioning the hospitalisation and administered medication on the doping control form. Therefore the FISA Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension.
