In February 2022 the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the militairy Athlete Sgt. Ellis Coleman after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the American Arbitration Association Commercial Arbitration Tribunal.
The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the substance and requested for a reduced sanction. He acknowledged that he had used a supplement Neupanex which listed the substance DHEA as an ingredient.
He explained that he suffered from several traumatic brain injuries and that he used this over-the-counter supplement following recommendations by his coach. He consulted his primary care medical provider about this supplement. Yet his medical provider mistakenly believed that this supplement was clean.
USADA accepted that the violation was not intentional and contended that the Athlete has acted negligently regarding the use of his supplement.
The Sole Arbitrator establishes that the Athlete was tested before without issues and had received sufficient anti-doping education. However the Athlete failed to research the label of this product and only relied completely on the advice of his medical provider, nor contacted USADA about his supplement.
Although the Arbitrator concludes that the violation was not intentional he finds that the Athlete had acted negligently without grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the AAA Arbitration Tribunal decides on 25 August 2022 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 28 February 2022.
