In July 2018 the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Chinese hockey player Li Dongxiao after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Sibutramine.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, accepted a provisional suspension, filed a statement in her defence and waived her right to be heard.
The Athlete submitted that at the relevant time she had used two kinds of coffees during and before the competitions: DL Slimming Coffee and Gold Coffee. The substance was not listed as ingredient on the label of these products and analysis of these coffees in the Chinada Lab revealed a high concentration of Sibutramine in de DL Slimming Coffee.
Furthermore additional analysis of sealed packages of the two coffees received from an independent source again confirmed the presence of Sibutramine in the DL Slimming Coffee. As a result the Chinese Hockey Association deemed that the Athlete's violation was not intentional.
Based on the evidence in this case the FIH Disciplinary Commissioner also accepts that the violation was not intentional because of a product contaminated by Sibutramine. Further the Commisioner finds that the Athlete's degree of fault or negligence falls in the normal category for the imposition of a reduced sanction.
Therefore the FIH Disciplinary Commissioner decides on 8 November 2018 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 16 May 2018.
