In December 2016 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Mixed Martial Arts Athlete Michiel Opperman after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee.
The Athlete admitted the violation and stated that he had used the prescribed medication Testis Compositum as treatment for his condition. The Athlete asserted that the violation was not intentional and that he researched the WADA website to establish whether the medication was included on the Prohibited List. The Athlete also argued that his medication triggered an elevation of his endogenous 19-Norandrosterone and as a result caused an endogenous elevation of his bodily Nandrolone.
SAIDS contended that the Athlete failed to show that the violation was not intentional and argued that he disregarded the risk that his conduct might result in an anti-doping rule violation.
The Athlete mentioned his medication and supplements on the Doping Control Form but didn’t mention the medication in question. Further the Athlete conducted only a limited research on the internet about the safety of the medication.
The Panel dismissed the Athlete’s argument that his medication triggered the elevation of endogenous Nandrolone in his body nor did he produce any evidence in confirmation of this matter. Instead the Laboratory Analysis Test Report clearly mentioned that the 19-Norandrosterone found in his sample was consistent with an exogenous origin.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional and finds that the Athlete’s risky conduct could lead to an anti-doping violation and that he disregarded that risk.
Therefore the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee decides on 9 June 2017 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of de sample collection, i.e. on 2 September 2016.
