In March the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Japanese Parathlete Tsutomu Inoue after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Prednisone / Prednisolone. After notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence.
The Parathlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the substance. He had mentioned al his medications on the Doping Control Form and demonstred with medical evidence that suffered from several conditions. He had used the substance as prescribed medication since 1987 with no alternative medication available.
Since he had not received anti-doping education he was unaware he had to apply for TUE. Hereafter his application for a TUE which was granted by the TUE Committee in April 2020. His application for a retroactive TUE was denied.
The parties in this case reached an agreement and requested the FEI Tribunal to issue a Decision incorporating the terms of this agreement. The parties agreed that the violation was not intentional and that the Athlete bears No Significant Fault or Negligence with a light degree of Fault or Negligence. The Athlete accepted the sanction and agreed to fulfil the Education Requirement within 1 year.
Therefore the FEI Tribunal decides on 4 January 2021 in accordance with the mutual consent of the Parties to impose a fine and a 2 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the decision.
