Related case:
NADO Flanders 2019 Disciplinary Council 20196617 - Appeal
March 3, 2020
NADO Flanders reported in 2019 two anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete for use and possession after an imported parcel was intercepted by Customs in 2018. The parcel was addressed the Athlete’s girlfriend and contained the prohibited substances Erythropoietin (EPO) and Oxymetholone. Hereafter the police conducted a search in the Athlete's residence in August 2018 where also the prohibited substance Letrozole was found.
After notification the Athlete was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission. The Athlete denied the purchase of the substances, he could not explain why the parcel was send to his residence and he claimed that the found substance Letrozole belonged to an ex-girlfriend. The Athlete stated that as a retired professional cyclist he was now only active recreationally in cycling. Also the last 5 years he had not used prohibited substances while he had any comments about the previous period.
The Disciplinary Commission rejects the Athlete’s statements since it had been established that the purchase was paid and shipped to the Athlete’s girlfriend and their residence address while the Athlete is still active in cycling for years. Further there is no evidence that someone tried to frame the Athlete. Considering the evidence in this case the Commission finds that the Athlete committed the anti-doping rule violations without grounds for a reduced sanction.
Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 28 January 2020 to impose a fine and a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the decision.
Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne by the Athlete.
