In November 2021 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Solomon Lekuta after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal.
The Athlete accepted the test result, denied the intentional use of the substance and could not explain how the substance had entered his system. Without substantial details he testified he had a knee injury and a chemist had administered an injection for his pain.
He had been tested before without issues and acknowledged that he he had not checked his medication. He could not read and when he travelled internationally he followed his team members. A friend translated for him the communication by WhatsApp from his manager.
The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance had been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional, nor grounds for a reduced sanction.
The Panel considers that the Athlete could not explain how the prohibited substance had entered his system. Despite his low education the Panel holds that he acted negligently because he had a manager and a smartphone available he could use to check the medication he used.
Therefore the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal decides on 19 October 2022 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 30 Nobember 2021.