In 2015 the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) informed DFSNZ about the results of Medsafe’s investigation into an internet drug supplier NZ Clenbuterol and provided DFSNZ details about the internet purchase in 2015 of a prohibited substance made by the rugby player Curtis Rountree.
Hereafter in August 2018 Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) has reported two anti-doping rule violations against Curtis Rountree for the use and possession of the prohibited substance Clenbuterol.
The Athlete had left New Zealand for Australia in March 2017 and after notification the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and DFSNZ made efforts to contact the Athlete. Here the Athlete’s father confirmed the receipt of the submitted documents and that the Athlete had admitted that he had purchased “something” 3 years ago. The Athlete failed to respond, to file any statement in his defence nor did he attend the hearing of the New Zealand Rugby Union Judicial Committee.
The Committee deems that the Athlete was duly notified about the reported anti-doping rule violations and that the evidence established that he purchased the substance Clenbuterol in February 2015.
The New Zealand Rugby Union Judicial Committee considers that there were substantial delays in the proceedings not attributed to the Athlete and decides on 25 February 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting backdated on 21 August 2018.
