Summer 2019 the Cologne Lab reported to Sport Ireland (SI) an Atypical finding for the prohibted substance Nandrolone regarding the weightlifter IS-7146.
SI kept the Atypical Finding confidential and did not notify the Athlete pending the outcome of their investigation it had opened. For this reason SI collected 7 samples out-of-competition from the Athlete between August 2019 and February 2020.
In August 2020 SI reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete SI-7146 after he refused to provide a sample out-of-competition as part of SI's investigation. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered in September 2019.
Further SI reported in August 2020 a second anti-doping rule violation for the use of Nandrolone after the Cologne Lab had identified the use of this substance by the Athlete at some point prior to the test in the summer of 2019.
In his defence the Athlete explained about his refusal that he was tested several times the last 18 months without any reason why he was tested so often. Also due to the COVID-19 he felt uncomfortable to be tested at his home as he wanted to project his family and so he didn't want to be in a small space with the DCO and the chaperone.
SI concludes that the Athlete failed to establish a compelling justification for his refusal to submit to sample collection. Further it rejected the Athlete's objections and contended that it had robust COVID-19 procedures in place in full compliance with the WADA-guidelines on testing during the pandemic.
Since the Athlete failed to respond before the set deadline SI deemed that the Athlete has admitted the violations, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the ban and applicable sanctions. SI deems that the two anti-doping rule violations are to be considered as a single first violation and the sanction based on the violation that carries the more severe sanction.
Therefore Sport Ireland decides on 12 October 2020 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete IS-7146 starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 10 September 2020.
