Related case:
CAS 2018_A_5619 WADA vs UWW & Anzor Boltukaev
October 3, 2018
In June 2017 United World Wrestling (UWW) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Russian Athlete Anzor Boltukaev 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 was heard for the UWW Anti-Doping Panel.
The Athlete asserted that it was probably caused through contamination of the nutritional supplements he used while he was told that they were safe and none of these products mention the substance in question on their label. With evidence he argued that the substance can be found in a large variety of plants en in coffee and coffee bases products.
The Panel accepts the Athlete’s explanation and finds that it is probable that the substance was ingested through a contaminated product consumed by the athlete considering the substance and the probability that the substance may be found in a variety of plants and, hence in nutritional supplements without clear indication on the label, the panel.
The panel also finds that the Athlete had been careful when consulting his team doctor about his supplements and that he could not reasonably suspect that he had used the specified substance Higenamine, whether through his consumption of coffee or nutritional supplements. The Panel concludes that the violation was not intentional and that he establish No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the UWW Anti-Doping Panel decides on 2 February 2018 to impose a 10 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 6 June 2017.
