In November 2015 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Mixed Martial Arts Athlete Gary Smit after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone), Drostanolone and Testosterone. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. 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 denied that he used these substances for enhancing his sport performance. He explained that he underwent treatment for 2 years for a severe shoulder injury and had received prescribed medication and physiotherapy. Because his shoulder didn’t recover he had to consider an operation. He stated that he was desperate and following the recommendations of friends at a gym he purchased the substances and injected these into his shoulder for several weeks.
SAIDS did not accept the Athlete’s explanation and requested the Panel to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility. SAIDS argued that the substances he took did not heal the shoulder injury, there were contradictions in his evidence and his explanation was so improbable that it must be fabricated.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional because he had admitted that he was aware at the time that the substances he used were illegal and prohibited in sport. Also the Panel finds that the Athlete’s testimony is unreliable and his evidence improbable and unreliable.
Therefore the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 17 June 2016 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 17 November 2015.
