In May 2016 the World Archery Federation (WA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Salvatorian archer Oscar Alfonso Guillén Ticas after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Clostebol. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the WA Anti-Doping Panel.
The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained with sustained with evidence and witness statements that he suffered from a knee wound on 21 February 2016 which was treated with Neobol, an over-the-counter antibiotic spray that contained Clostebol. The medication was administered until 24 February while he was tested later on 6 March 2016.
The spray was suggested and administered by a physiotherapist and he was told that there was no risk that the use of this medication would result in an anti-doping rule violation. Medication was available without a prescription and used regurlarly by the National Athletics Federation for the treatment of wounds in their athletes.
WA accepts that the violation was not intentional and the result of the Athlete's use of the Neobol spray to heel a knee wound. WA considers that the Athlete trusted his physiotherapist and genuinely believed that the product suggested to him was safe although he did not verify this medication with his personal doctor or the pharmacist.
The Anti-Doping Panel finds that the presence of the prohibited substance had been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. Considering the evidence in this case the Panel concludes that the violation was not intentional and the result of the use of the Neobol spray containing Clostebol.
The Panel finds that the Athlete acted with some degree of Negligence as he trusted his physiotherapist but failed to consult an authorized physician nor researched the Neobol on the internet revealing the presence of the prohibited ingredient Clostebol.
Therefore the Anti-Doping Panel decides on 5 July 2016 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 12 May 2016.