In December 2022 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the bodybuilder Rashid Issa for his Evasion, Refusal or failure to submit to sample collection at a bodybuilding championship in October 2022.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence. The Athlete did not attend the hearing and the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal settled the case based on the written submissions of the Parties.
The Athlete admitted the violation and denied that he intentionally had evaded doping control. He asserted that he indeed had cooperated with the sample collection.
The Athlete tesitified that at the Doping Control Station he all night had attempted to produce a sample although he had ingested a dozen bottles of water. Feeling unwell the Doping Control Officers (DCO) declined his request for a meal.
Hungry and tired after 24 hours without food he ultimately received permission to go to his apartment accompanied by a DCO. In a bad condition he hurried to his apartment to get something to eat and thereupon discovered that he had lost contact with the DCO.
The Panel considered the evidence in this case and accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that there are grounds for a reduced sanction.
Therefore the Panel decides on 21 September 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 4 January 2023.
