In June 2024 the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) against the swimmer Calista Liu after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Dorzolamide.
Following notification a provisional suspension was imposed. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence.
The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. She explained that the source of the positive test was her father's prescribed Dorzolamide eyedrop medication and that she was repeatedly exposed to this medication.
USADA accepted that the violation was not intentional and that the Athlete demonstrated the source of the substance. USADA deemed that the Athlete showed with corroborating evidence that she was repeatedly exposed to a home environment contamination with Dorzolamide residue from her father's prescribed eyedrop medication.
Further, USADA determines that she could not reasonably have known or suspected that her actions could have caused a positive test. Moreover the concentration in her sample was extremely low whereas Dorzolamide is not available in any other formulation other than eyedrop form in de United States or anywhere else in the world.
The Parties went into a settlement and requested the New Era Arbitration Tribunal to render an Award. Therefore the Arbitrator determines on 3 July 2024:
- The presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample.
- She committed an anti-doping rule violation.
- The violation was not intentional.
- The Athlete established No Fault or Negligence.
- No period of ineligibility shall be imposed.
