In January 2022 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the triathlon Athlete Annah Watkinson after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Mestanolone in a low concentration.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Tribunal.
SAIDS contended that the Athlete failed to prove with corroborating evidence that the violation was not intentional and how the subtance had entered her system.
The Athlete attempted to identify the source of the prohibited substance with testst, experts and legal representative. Also she attempted to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional and that she had not acted recklessly.
The Athlete presented three possible sources of the prohibited substance:
- Contamination or cross contamination of a peanut butter smoothie;
- The transfer of the prohibited substance to her by her boyfriend through kissing;
- The use of a steroid cream by someone who shared the swimming pool with her.
Regarding the possible sources the Panel assessed and adressed in detail the evidence raised by the Athlete. However, the Panel concludes that the hypothesis is not probable and the theories unlikely.
Furthermore the Panel did not accept that as an experienced athlete in the Doping Process she only had mentioned on the Doping Control Form the supplements she had use on the day of the test and not the preceeding 7 days.
Despite the Athlete tried to demonstrate with evidence that she not had been dishonest or reckless the Panel concludes that she failed to establish that the violation was not intentional.
Therefore the Panel decides on 21 November 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 11 January 2022.
