Related case:
SAIDS 2020-10 SAIDS vs Thapelo Phora - Appeal
July 1, 2021
In May 2020 the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Thapelo Phora after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Stanozolol.
The Athlete was tested after SAIDS had received a tipp-off about his alleged doping conduct. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete admitted the violation and he assumed that the supplements he had used were contaminated and the source of the prohibited substance. The Athlete argued that he was tested before without issues and that he mentioned his supplements on the Doping Control Form and that he had checked his supplements before using.
Analysis of the Athlete's sealed and unsealed supplement containers in two accredited laboratories revealed contradictory results as in some batches contamination was detected, yet not in some other containers. As a result two experts of SAIDS reported that the posibility of contamination could not be excluded.
The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's samples and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. Considering the evidence in this case the Panel accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that the Athlete established on the balance of probabilities how the prohibited substance entered his system.
Therefore the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 18 June 2021 to impose a reduced 8 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete. The sanction starts on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 21 May 2020, whereas the Athlete is accredited for the time already served.