In November 2004 the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cannabis at a concentration of 130 ng/mL. The Athlete had used cannabis after the competition and before he provided a sample for drug testing, which explains the reason why his results were so high. Also the Athlete walked away to smoke cannabis with some fans after he was notified by the DCO and Chaperone and finally showed up within the allotted time to provide a sample.
The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the SDRCC Doping Tribunal. The Athlete admitted that he had used cannabis and stated that he already had expressed his apologies to the DCO and Chaperone for his behavior after he had returned to provide a sample.
The arbitrator finds that the Athlete had no intention to enhance sport performance and normally only a warning and reprimand would be imposed as first anti-doping violation. However the arbitrator considers the Athlete’s disappearance after notification by the DCO an aggravating factor.
Therefore on 6 May 2005 the SDRCC Doping Tribunal decides to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision. Any period of provisional suspenstion shall be credited against the total period of ineligibility to be served.
