In April 2011 the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Moldovan Athlete Alexandr Tufaniuc after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance furosemide.
RUSADA notified the Athlete and ordered a provisional suspension. Hereafter the case was transferred to FISA due to the Athlete is a citizen of Moldova. In June 2011 the Moldovan national federation reported to FISA its decision to sanction the Athlete with a 1 year period of ineligibility. However FISA decided to retain results management authority of this case. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the FISA Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete stated he used a herbal tea product as a purifying and weight loss supplement and claimed that this tea contained the furosemide.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete only suggested a way that the substance could have entered his body and without presenting evidence which established how the furosemide entered his body.
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 9 April 2011.
