In April and in May 2017 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) has reported multiple anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete Louisa Leballo for Evasion / Tampering and for testing positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO). The Doping Control Officer (DCO) reported that during the out-of-competition test in March 2017 the Athlete offered money to the DCO in exchange for cancellation of the test.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete accepted the test results and acknowledged that her conduct amounted to a corrupt attempt to subvert the control process. She explained that she was nervous because she had taken pain medication before the test. She also stated that she underwent treatment for her medical condition she suffered and that the medical practitioner administered her an injection with an unknown substance.
The Panel did not accept the Athlete’s explanation because she could not explain how the EPO entered her system. Her testimony was vague and her replies to questions were elusive and evasive regarding the medical practitioner she allegedly consulted. The Panel concludes that it is highly probably that the Athlete willfully took EPO for the purpose to enhance her sport performance and finds that she showed little remorse for her attempt to corrupt the DCO.
Considering the serious nature of the multiple anti-doping rule violations committed by the Athlete the Panel rules that the two periods of ineligibility for these violations should not run concurrently. Therefore the Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 19 July 2017 to impose a 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
