Related case:
FINA 2014 FINA vs Yulia Efimova (2)
November 3, 2014
In January 2014 the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Swimmer Yulia Efimova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 7-keto-DHEA. The Swimmer identified the source of her positive test as a supplement Cellucor CLK, purchased and recommended to her in a store in the USA. The Swimmer argued that she thought she purchased the same product as L-carnitine, which she had used for many years when she run out of her supply of L-carnitine. Due to the product Cellucor CLK upset her stomach she used it short, no more than one week.
The FINA Doping Panel accepts that the Swimmer had no intention to enhance her sports performance, but also acted naïve and insufficienty cautious by relying on the advice of a salesperson at the store where she purchased the product. The Panel finds that the Swimmer’s failure to read the label of the Cellucor CLK product was negligent, but subjective considerations unique to her situation do justify evaluating her fault at a lower level than if these considerations were not present.
Therefore the FINA Doping Panel decides to impose a 16 month period of ineligibility on the Swimmer, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 31 October 2013.
