Facts
The International Dance Sport charges Olga Shcherbina, the dancer, for a violation of the Anti-Doping rules. On 19 August 2010, the couple Igor Kruglov / Olga Shcherbina participated in the German Open Championships DTV 2010 Youth Standard, held at Stuttgart, Germany. After competition and price ceremony (the couple was placed 1st in this championship) they were notified of the selection by the ISDF Anti-Doping Director, Mr. Ko de Mooy, for anti-doping control. The couple reported to the doping control room and completed the sample collection without any problem. Analysis of the sample showed the presence of Acetazolamide which is a prohibited substance in-competition as well as out-of-competition according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2010 Prohibited List.
History
Before the doping test on August 19th 2010, the athlete confessed that she used medicine “Diacarbium” (acetazolamide) 4 days before the competition. Due to poor health and difficult ecological situation in Moscow at the time (fires, smog, heat waves…), her doctor prescribed those medicines. She applies for exceptional circumstances with no significant fault or negligence. She admits that she was careless because she did not check the medication for prohibited ingredients, she had not the intention to enhance sport performance.
The panel disagrees, a simple search on internet with the words "Diacarb” and doping" provides sufficient response that the product Diacarb contains Acetazolamide, a prohibited substance. Therefore this panel rules out the possible application of the exculpatory clause of No fault or Negligence alleged by the legal representation of the Athlete.
This Diacarbium is considered to have negative effects for the athlete but its stimulant effects may enable reducing the sensation of fatigue in a similar way to amphetamines and in this context, any competitor may consider that its consumption will be beneficial to them.
Decision
1. Mrs. Olga Shcherbina shall be declared Ineligible for competition for 1 year, starting from September 9, 2010, date of the provisional suspension. Therefore, the Athlete will be allowed to compete again starting from September 9, 2011.
2. Her individual results in competition are disqualified, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
3. The present formal decision is rendered without costs.
