Related case:
CAS 2002_A_399 Claudia Poll vs FINA
January 31, 2003
In March 2002 the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Claudia Poll after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the FINA Doping Panel.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of any prohibited substance and argued that she was many times tested before without issues. The Athlete alleged that a number of irregularities occurred in regard to the sample collection procedure, storage and transportation, which accordingly effected the validity of the test results.
The Panel considers the number of irregularities that occurred, as reported by the Athlete, and finds that these errors are not sufficient to call into question the entire doping control process.
Based on the test result the Panel concludes that the Athlete committed the anti-doping rule violation and she failed to establish with evidence that the test results were unreliable.
Therefore the FINA Doping Panel decides on 3 June 2002 to impose a 4 year period of inelibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 26 March 2002.
