In October 2017 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Romanian tennis player Adrian Barbu after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Metenolone and Nandrolone.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, accepted the test result and a provisional suspension. He indicated his wish to avoid a hearing and that there are grounds for a reduced sanction.
The Athlete stated that in 2016 he was not active as tennis player and that he had used Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone) and Primobolan (Metenolone) until December 2016 without intention to enhance his sport performance.
He registered with the ITF in April 2017 en returned to competition in May 2017 and wasn’t aware that the prohibited substances he used in 2016 might still be in his system when he was tested in August 2017.
The ITF argued that the Athlete is not entitled to any reduction of the period of ineligibility and that his conduct was clearly significant negligent. However the ITF accepted that it can not rule out the possibility that the Athlete tested positive as a result of his use of these substances until December 2016.
After deliberations between the Parties a settlement was reached in which the ITF accepts that the Athlete gave a prompt admission for his use of the prohibited substances without intention to enhance his sport performances. The Athlete accepts a 2 year period of ineligibility with disqualification of his results. The Athlete's period of ineligibility starts backdated on the date of the sample collection, i.e. 16 August 2017.
Therefore the ITF Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal decides on 9 February 2018 to terminate the proceedings against the Athlete on the basis as agreed between the parties.
