In February 2015 the Estonian Athletics Association has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Estonian Athlete Ilja Nikolajevi after an IAAF (Now: World Athletics) Expert Panel concluded unanimously in January 2015 in their Expert Opinion, that the Athlete’s hematological profile “highly likely” showed that he had used a prohibited substance or a prohibited method: the use of EPO or Blood doping.
This conclusion of the IAAF Expert Panel is based on assessment of blood samples, collected in the period from 16 April 2013 until 28 November 2013 reported in the Athlete’s Biological Passport (ABP). Previously the Athlete submitted his explanations for the abnormal findings in his ABP to the IAAF which were rejected by the Expert Panel.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence. The Athlete denied the use of doping and he disputed the reliability of the ABP due to he was tested before 7 time without issues whereas several circumstandes could explain the abnormalities in his ABP.
The Estonian Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel accepts the findings of the IAAF Expert Panel and agrees that the Athlete failed to explain the abnormalities in his ABP. In view of the evidence the Panel concludes that abnormalities did exist in the ABP and that he committed an anti-doping rule violation for Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method under the World Anti-Doping Code 2009 and applicable IAAF Rules.
Therefore the Estonian Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel decides on 12 May 2015 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 3 February 2015.