The Ukrainian National Rowing Federation has reported an anti-doping violation against the Athlete Nataliya Ryzhkova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance stanozolol.
After the notification the Ukrainian National Rowing Federation ordered a provisional suspension. The Athlete did not appear for the FISA Doping Hearing Panel but filed a statement in her defence.
The Athlete stated she had been treated for a long period of time at the Specialized Sports Clinic with little effect for a problem with knee joint bursitis. She then consulted a general practitioner who recommended a course of treatment using medicines which included a substance on the prohibited list. The Athlete argued that general medical reference books do not divide medications into permitted and prohibited drugs. She also stated she desperately wanted to recover as soon as she could to resume her full training and competitive career.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete’s explanation is insufficient and she acted at fault and negligence due to she did not mention the prohibited medication on the doping control form although she did mention other supplements and medications. The Panel finds that Athletes are responsible for the medications or substances they take into their bodies. It is not a sufficient excuse that a substance was prescribed by a general practitioner and that general medical books do not identify permitted and non-permitted substances or that an athlete wants to recover to return to competition.
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, i.e. on 30 April 2007.
