In November the accredited laboratory in Cologne re-analysed the sample of the Russian Athlete Alexander Loginov and the analysis revealed the presence of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO).
Hereafter the International Biathlon Union (IBU) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete and a provisional suspension was ordered.
The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and did not request to be heard for the IBU Anti-Doping Hearing Panel (ADHP). The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and stated he suffered for a medical condition at that time for which he was not able to get medical treatment. Instead he used a supplement offered by a friend who suffered from the same condition.
The IBU requested the ADHP to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility for the intentional use of EPO and contested that the Athlete failed to explain how the substance entered his system. He did not demonstrate with evidence that he had a medical condition, that he had used this supplement and that it contained the prohibited substance.
The ADHP did not accept the Athlete’s explanation and finds that the test results establish that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation without grounds for a reduced sanction. Therefore the ADHP decides on 30 June 2015 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 25 November 2014.
