In July 2016 Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) has reported and anti-doping rule violation against the Respondent Clayton Lewis after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance salbutamol in a concentration above the WADA threshold.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Respondent filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand.
The Respondent admitted the violation and stated that he had used prescribed Ventolin (salbutamol) as treatment for his asthma. He asserted that prior to the competition he took more puffs of his medication due to elevated asthmatic symptoms he suffered. The Respondent argued that he attended three anti-doping seminars but he was never told that he could take too much medication or that there was a limit.
The Tribunal accepts the Respondent’s explanation and that the anti-doping violation was non intentional.
With no significant fault or negligence the Tribunal decides on 27 July 2016 to impose a 1 month period of ineligibility on the Respondent for the time already serviced, i.e. from the date of the provisional suspension until the date of the decision.
