In December 2012 the National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Walter Theuma for evading sample collection.
Before the Doping Control Officer could notify the Athlete after the competition, the Athlete immediately left the game room and the premises without even picking his cue and belongings.
At the hearing the Athlete stated he smoke marijuana (cannabis) and that the substance could be traced in his blood for six months after use.
The Panel regards an Athlete's refusal to submit (without compelling justification) to a doping control test, or to evade a sample collection or not to collaborate with doping control officials as a very serious violation of the anti-doping regulations. Therefore in such instances an Athlete should not benefit from any reduction from the period of ineligibility.
On these grounds the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decides to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension if there was one. Otherwise the period of ineligibility begins from the date of this decision.
