In November 2015 the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) informed DFSNZ about the results of Medsafe’s investigation into an internet drug supplier NZ Clenbuterol and provided DFSNZ details about the internet purchases of prohibited substances made by Christopher Ware.
Hereafter in September 2017 Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) has reported two anti-doping rule violations against the Respondent Christopher Ware for the use, attempted use and possession of the prohibited substance clenbuterol.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Respondent filed a statement in his defece and he was heard for the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand.
The Respondent gave a prompt admission of the violations and co-operated with DFSNZ. He asserted that he is an amateur club cricketer, was never drug tested, had never received any drug education and did not know to check whether a substance was prohibited. He stated that he purchased the clenbuterol only to assist him to reduce his weight. He did lose some weight but did not re-order or use the product after January 2015.
The Tribunal accepts that the Respondent did not know that clenbuterol was a prohibited susbstance under the Rules and that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional. The Tribunal finds that the Respondent did make timely admission and otherwise cooperated. Further the Tribunal considers that there were substantial delays in the proceedings not attributed to the Respondent.
Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides on 21 December 2017 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Respondent starting backdated on 1 January 2017.
