In August 2019 the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the netball player Sue-Ann Botha after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Salbutamol. After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by SAIDS.
The Athlete denied the intentional use and stated that she had received limited to no anti-doping education. She explained with evidence that she had used the substance as prescribed medication to recover from swine flu symptoms while she had mentioned this medication on the Doping Control Form.
SAIDS finds that the Athlete's sample established the presence of a prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. SAIDS accepts that the violation was not intentional and that the Athlete demonstrated how the substance entered her system.
Considering grounds for a reduced sanction SAIDS decides on 15 September 2019 to impose a 2 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 15 October 2019.
