Related case:
SAIDS 2017_01 SAIDS vs Stean Pienaar - Appeal
July 4, 2017
In January 2017 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Stean Pienaar after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Letrozole. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the SAIDS Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and he admitted that previously he had used a testosterone booster in 2016 for several months. Because of the medical side effects he ceased using this testosterone booster and he was advised to use Letrozole as treatment for his medical condition. He purchased the Letrozole without the necessary prescription as he was told and he was convinced that this substance was not prohibited. In addition he conducted an insufficient search on the internet for this substance and he acknowledged that he didn’t consult his general practitioner or his team doctor about this matter.
The Panel establish that the Athlete explained how the prohibited substance entered his system and that the violation was not intentional. However the Panel finds that the Athlete’s degree of fault was significant because he had options available to determine the true status of the substance Letrozole, but failed to act on these options.
Considering the circumstances in this case the Doping Hearing Panel decides on 6 April 2017 to impose a 20 month period of ineligiblility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 24 January 2017.
