Related case:
UKAD 2018 Adam Fedorciow vs UKAD - Appeal
May 29, 2018
In August 2017 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the weight lifter Adam Fedorciow after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Higenamine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP).
The Athlete gave a prompt admission, denied the intentional use of the substance and argued that his Fault or Negligence was not significant. He stated that he had used the product Mentality, an over-the-counter supplement containing higenamine hydrocholoride, and that he mentioned this product on the Doping Control Form. He stated that he purchased the product in December 2016 and checked the ingredients on the full 2016 Prohibited List including the Summary of Changes for the 2017 Prohibited List.
UKAD contended that the Athlete knew about the rules and their importance, particularly given his background in junior international rugby. He could not therefore take 'refuge in naivety and ignorance'. UKAD argued that when Higenamine was clearly put on the 2017 List, the Athlete did not do all that he reasonably could have done to acquaint himself with which substances were prohibited. A reasonable Athlete would have checked the ingredients against the full list.
The Panel considers that the Athlete gave a prompt admission, that the violation was not intentional and that there are no grounds to reduce the period of ineligibility from 2 years. The Panel holds that he failed in his core responsibility to acquaint himself with the substances on the Prohibited List due to his search regarding the contents of the 2017 List was insufficient.
Therefore the NADP decides on 8 February 2018 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 15 July 2017.
