In September 2022 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the minor weightlifter Poorna Sri (17) after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Stanazolol.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and the case was referred to the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).
The Athlete asserted that she is a minor and a protected person under the Rules and requested for a reduced sanction. She explained that she belongs to a poor familie, that she was less educated and unaware of the Rules or prohibited substances.
The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that she committed an anti-doping rule violation.
The Panel determines that under the Rules the Athlete as a Protected Person needs to establish No Significant Fault or Negligence. Furthermore as a minor she needs to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional and the source of the prohibited substance.
The Panel rules that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional, nor the source of the prohibited substance, nor that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the Panel decides on 28 March 2023 to impose a 4 year period of inelgibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 20 September 2022.
