In December 2018 the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Dutch swimmer after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Tulobuterol. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement with evidence in her defence.
The Athlete denied the intentional use nor did she use any medication that contained this substance while she had a valid TUE for the use of a medication as treatment for her condition.
Supported by an expert witness the Athlete argued that her medicine Wellbutrin contained the active substance Bupropion which has the similar chemical structure to that of Tulobuterol. Here the Athlete contended that the positive result for Tulobuterol is explained by her use of Bupropion leading to a false positive.
After the Athlete’s expert report regarding Bupropion was submitted to WADA an investigation was initiated and reanalysis of the Athlete’s sample was performed. Hereafter the WADA Accredited Lab reported that the adverse analytical finding for Tulobuterol in the Athlete’s sample was incorrect and the result was updated in ADAMS. FINA officially withdrew its case against the Athlete on 11 March 2019.
Accordingly the FINA Doping Panel finds on 19 March 2019 that the Athlete has not committed an anti-doping rule violation and decides to cancel the process and scheduled hearing.
