In February 2022 the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the weightlifter for his evasion of Doping Control at a competition in September 2021.
The Doping Control Officers (DCOs) at the competition reported that the Athlete was in the waitingroom at the Doping Control Center after he had been duly notified. Hereafter the Athlete left the waiting room, the building and the premisis.
By contrast the Athlete denied he had evaded Doping Control. He alleged that the DCO was with him all the time and that he gave permission to leave the building.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete refused to accept a sanction of 3 years proposed by ABCD and the case was referred to the Brazilian Sports Justice Anti-Doping Tribunal (TJD-AD).
The Rapporteur establishes that there were conflicting testimonies from the DCO's and the Athlete regarding his alleged permission to leave. He left the building through the main entrance and took an Uber with another passenger. Or the Athlete left the building without permission and escaped into the woods.
The Rapporteur deems that there were inconsistencies and imprecisions in the statements provided by the Athlete and his witnesses. Moreover he failed to produce sufficient evidence that corroborates his version of the event.
Ultimately the Rapporteur determines that the Athlete had been duly notified and that he had signed the Doping Control Form. Thereupon he evaded Doping Control and failed to submit to sample collection without a compelling justification.
Finally the Rapporteurs considers that there had been substantial delays in the proceedings not attributed to the Athlete.
Therefore the TJD-AD Panel decides on 7 November 2022 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the violation, i.e. on 26 September 2021.
