In June 2010 the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the International Volleyball Federation, has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Puertorican Athlete Gregory Berrios after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance N-Didesmethyl sibutramine. After notification the FIVB ordered a provisional suspension. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the FIVB Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete stated that, due to a knee injury, he gained weight and therefore he used a natural product “Fat Loss”. He showed the Panel that the productlabel didn’t mention it contained prohibited substances.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete had no intention to enhance his sport panel but also acted negligently due to he used a dietary product on his own initiative without prescription or advice of competent expert or the team doctor.
Therefore the FIVB Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 4 August 2010 to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 13 July 2010.
