In September 2020 Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the powerlifter Sean Winters after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substances Hebtaminol and Octodrine. After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, accepted a provisional suspension and filed a statement in his defence.
The Athlete suggested that the products Redcon1 Total Wars and Wizard Nutrition Fireblast Ultra he had used might have contained Octodrine. He had determined, as confirmed by the manufacturers, that previous versions of their products contained Octodrine while this substance was listed on both products named as aminoisoteptaine and Juglans Regia. The current versions of the products do not contain Octodrine anymore.
The Athlete asserted he was tested before without issues. He had researched the ingredients of his supplements at the relevant time before using and neither of these supplements had the prohibited subsances listed. DFSNZ accepted the Athlete's evidence and deemed that the violation was not intentional.
The parties in this case reached an agreement and filed a joint memorandum in relation to the sanction for approval into a decision of the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand. The Tribunal considers that the Athlete gave a prompt admission, that the violation was not intentional and that No Significant Fault or Negligence had been established.
Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides on 18 December 2020 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 19 July 2020.
