Facts
The UK Anti-Doping organization (UKAD) charges Lewis Graham, the player, for an Anti-Doping rule (ADR) violation. On February 17, 2015, UKAD collected an out-of-competition sample for a doping test. Analysis of the sample did show the presence of nandrolone. Nandrolone is a prohibited substance according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2014 prohibited list.
History
The player does not dispute that he committed the ADRV and no issue of jurisdiction arises. However, he argues that the otherwise applicable four year period of ineligibility should be reduced on the basis that there was no intent to commit the ADRV and furthermore that there was no significant fault or negligence. After beings tested positive he did his own research and determined the following probabilities:
- contaminated supplements that he had taken along with a high quantity of coconut oil;
- the fact that he had been tested directly after High Intensity Interval Training; and
- his use of pure coconut oil on his skin, on his food and as an additive.
The panel concludes that the player had no satisfactory explanation how the prohibited substance had entered his body. He had not mentioned all the supplements he had taken on the doping control form. Also the manner in which he had checked the ingredients was doubtful. The player had not established that his positive test was unintentionally.
Decision
- The sanction is a period of ineligibility of 4 years.
- The period of ineligibility is adapted to his provisional suspension which commenced on March 11, 2015. Accordingly, the period of ineligibility will run until March 10, 2019.
