In July 2018 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Boniface Ontuga Mweresa 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 Sports Disputes Tribunal of Kenya.
The Athlete gave a prompt admission and denied the intentional use. He stated that in a supplement store he had purchased a supplement energy drink against fatigue after training. He had mentioned the use of this product on the Doping Control Form and established that this energy drink was the source of the prohibited substance. He acknowledged that he failed to research the ingredients of this product before using while he was tested before without issues and had received anti-doping education.
The Tribunal considers that the Athlete gave a prompt admission and established how the prohibited substance entered his system. The Tribunal deems that te violation was not intentional but also finds that the Athlete acted with gross negligence since he failed to check the ingredients of his energy drink before using.
Therefore the decides on 17 July 2019 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 20 July 2018.
