In July 2016 World Rugby has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Namibian rugby player Arthur Christo Bouwer after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (Turinabol). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the World Rugby Judicial Committee.
The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the prohibited product. He stated that over the past 2 years he had used a number of supplements and all of these supplements were mentioned on the Doping Control Form.
He admitted that he had used capsules of a product provided to him by another tourist ‘Antonio’ during his European Tour in October 2015. He stated that at that time he went through a depression stage, he was open to try new products and he was assured that this product was ‘safe’. Afterward the Athlete found out that the capsules of the product he had used might have been Superdrol (Methyldrostanolone) or Super-Anadrol (Oxymetholone). Neither of these products contain the substance Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (Turinabol).
The Athlete acknowledged his failure to reseach the product on the internet before using and that he had been reckless.
The Judicial Committee finds that the Athlete’s anti-doping rule violation has been established and that the Athlete’s statement and evidence is vague. He failed to prove the consumption of Superdrol or Super-Anadrol, due to these products don’t contain Turinabol, and he failed to prove that his conduct was unintentional.
Without grounds for a reduced sanction the World Rugby Judicial Committee decides on 26 October 2016 to impose a 4 year period on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 12 July 2016.
