In June 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the fencer Radhika Prakash Awati after she tested positive for the prohibited substance Methylprednisolone.
Following notification the Athlete's application for a retrospective TUE was rejected in May 2023 by the TUE Committee. Also her TUE appeal was dismissed in July 2023.
Consequently on 17 August 2023 the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI) decided to impose a 15 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
Hereafter the Athlete and INADA appealed the ADDPI decision with the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of India (ADAPI). Both parties requested the Appeal Panel to modify the Appealed Decision regarding the length of the sanction.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and argued that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence. She asserted that she was unaware that her prescribed medication contained a prohibited substance which she mentioned on the Doping Control Form.
INADA contended that there are no grounds for a reduced sanction and requested the Appeal Panel for a 2 year sanctionb. Without corroborating evidence the Athlete was not credible about the medical treatment she underwent in a hospital.
The Appeal Panel assessed the Athlete's conduct in this case and agrees that she failed to demonstrate with corroborating evidence that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence. She filed a dubious medical prescription while there was no hospital records, nor evidence of the purchase of the medication.
Therefore the ADAPI Panel decides on 18 November 2023 to set aside the Appealed Decision and to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on 17 August 2023.
