Related case:
SAIDS 2014_28 SAIDS vs Daniel Jacobus La Grange (2)
December 8, 2016
In February 2015 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the judoka Daniel Jacobus La Grage after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Hydrochlorothiazide. After notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete admitted the violation and claimed the it was not intentional. He explained that he had suffered from back pains and had used medication which contains the prohibited substance. However the evidence shows that he was advised by his pharmacist that the medication contained prohibited substances and would be present in his system for approximately 2 days.
SAIDS argued that the Athlete was extremely negligent by ignoring the advice of the pharmacist and he didn't consult a medical doctor. Further SAIDS asserted that he failed to establish how the substance entered his system because the substance would be present in his system for 2 days, while the Athlete claimed that he used this medication 7 days before he provided a sample.
The Panel did not accept the Athlete’s explanation and agrees that he was negligent and failed to establish how the substance entered his system without grounds for a reduced sanction.
Therefore the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 17 March 2015 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the notification, i.e. 19 February 2015.
