In March 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics has reported an anti-doping rule violation againt the Lebanese Athlete Tony Hanna after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Heptaminol and Octodrine (1,5-dimethylhexylamine).
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. He signed an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and stated that a supplement he had used was the source of the positive test. He showed with medical information that he had used prescribed medication for his gastroenteritis and also had used this supplement for his condition.
He stated that this supplement was purchased in a store in Beirut where most Lebanese athletes buy their supplements. Thereupon he had reseached the ingredients of this supplement and overlooked that the listed ingredient DMHA is another name for Octodrine.
The Athlete acknowledged that he failed to mention this supplement on the Doping Control Form. He explained that following the marathon he underwent medical treatment for exhaustion and in this situation he had attempted to mention all his prescribed medication for gastroenteritis rather than the supplement.
The AIU establishes that the Athlete was inexperienced about anti-doping as he had not received any education in this matter. Further the AIU holds that the Athlete in his physical condition following the marathon had attempted to mention his prescribed medication for his gastroenteritis and not disclosed his supplement in question.
In view of the evidence the AIU concludes that the violation was not intentional and that Athlete acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the AIU decides on 14 June 2022 to impose a 16 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 17 March 2022.
