CAS 2003_A_447 Anna Stylianou vs FINA

CAS 2003/A/447 Anna Stylianou v/ FINA

On 29 August 2002 the Cyprus Amateur Swimming Association decided to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the minor Cypriot swimmer Anna Stylianou (16) after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).

After deliberations the case was referered to the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and 19 February 2003 the FINA Doping Panel decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.

Hereafter the Athlete appealed the FINA decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the prohibited substance and requested for a reduced sanction. She argued that the Appealed Decision is based on a misinterpretation of the FINA Doping Rules. Also the Athlete asserted that the FINA decision is neither substantiated nor clear.

The Athlete explained that she had purchased and used three supplements recommended by her coach. She and her doctor had checked the labels of these products before using.

Analysis of two supplements revealed no prohibited substance. Analyisis of the third supplement Inosine was not possible due she had used all capsules. Also the supplement was not available anymore in Cyprus and withdrawn from the market. She asserted that these capsules in question were the source of the positive test.

FINA contended that the had acted with negligence and failed to establish that the supplement Inosine was the source of the positive test. In accordance with the new FINA Doping Control Rules FINA accepted to apply in favor of the Athlete and to reduce the sanction from 4 years to a 2 year period of ineligibility.

The Panel deems that Athlete accepted the test results and that a 2 year period of ineligibility is the appropriate sanction in this case. The Panel finds that FINA failed to show cause as to why the Athlete bears No Significant Fault or Negligence.

The Panel concludes that there are no exceptional circumstances in this case because she acted negligently with her supplements, nor established how the substance had entered her system. The Panel considers that the reduction of the sanction by 2 years is a de jure consequence of the adoption of the Amended WADA Code by FINA. Accordingly the Athlete did not receive the reduction as requested.

Therefore the Court of Arbitration for Sport decides on 30 January 2004 that:

1.) The appeal filed by the Athlete on March 17, 2003 is partially upheld.

2.) The decision of FINA dated February 19, 2003 is hereby amended:

- a) A term of ineligibility of two years is imposed on the Athlete, commencing as of June 16, 2002.
- b) All results achieved by the Athlete during the period from June 16, 2002 until July 2, 2002 shall be deemed cancelled.

3.) This award is rendered without costs, except for the Court Office fee of CHF 500.00 (Five Hundred Swiss Francs) already paid by the Appellant, which shall be retained by the CAS.

4.) Each party shall bear its own respective costs.

Original document

Parameters

Legal Source
CAS Appeal Awards
Date
30 January 2004
Arbitrator
Dedes, Pantelis
Faylor, John A.
Oswald, Denis
Original Source
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
Country
Cyprus
Language
English
ADRV
Adverse Analytical Finding / presence
Legal Terms
Admission
Burdens and standards of proof
Circumstantial evidence
Lex mitior
Minor
Negligence
Period of ineligibility
Rules & regulations International Sports Federations
WADA Code, Guidelines, Protocols, Rules & Regulations
Sport/IFs
Swimming (FINA) - World Aquatics
Laboratories
Athens, Greece: Doping Control Laboratory of Athens
Doping classes
S1. Anabolic Agents
Substances
19-norandrosterone
Nandrolone (19-nortestosterone)
Various
Athlete support personnel
Supplements
Document type
Pdf file
Date generated
17 January 2012
Date of last modification
5 July 2023
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