Mr William Frullani is an Italian Athlete competing in the bobsleigh event at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
On 20 February 2014 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after his A and B samples tested positive for the methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine). After notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and the CONI delegation attended the hearing of the IOC Disciplinary Commission.
The Athlete submitted to the Commission that he did not take any medication, but had taken only nutritional supplements. The CONI Chef de Mission indicated that he understood that the Athlete had ordered such nutritional supplements on the internet, probably from the United States of America or Great Britain.
The Chef de Mission indicated that he did not know if the Athlete had taken the nutritional supplements on his own accord or on the recommendation of a third party, such as a nutritional adviser and it was the first time that the Athlete had been involved in a doping case.
The IOC Disciplinary Commission noted that, by taking, on his own accord, nutritional supplements, which might be contaminated, the Athlete accepted the risk that such supplements could be contaminated with prohibited substances. The Athlete did not inform the CONI about his use of nutritional supplements nor did the Athlete make enquiries from the strong medical presence made available by the CONI to its athletes whether there was a risk involved in taking supplements.
Based on the above, the IOC Disciplinary Commission unanimously concluded that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to Article 2.1 of the World Anti-Doping Code, and Articles 2 and 12 of the Rules, in that there was the presence of the prohibited substance, methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine), in his body.
Therefore the IOC Disciplinary Commission decides that the Athlete Mr William Frullani:
1.) is excluded from the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014; and
2.) shall have his Olympic identity and accreditation card cancelled immediately.
3.) The International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT) is requested to consider any further action within its own competence.
4.) The Italian Olympic Committee shall ensure full implementation of this decision.
5.) This decision shall enter into force immediately.
