Ms. Elena Chistilina (Respondent) is a Russian athlete in the sport of IPC Athletics.
On 26 June 2012, Respondent competed at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Stadskanaal, The Netherlands, where she provided a sample for doping control.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has reported an anti doping rule violation against Respondent after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance N-ethylnicotinamide (a metabolite of nikethamide).
The IPC notified Respondent of the doping violation and ordered a provisional suspension. The notification letter enclosed a letter “Letter of Decision” for the Respondent to complete and return to IPC by no later than 26 July 2012.
Respondent returned the signed Letter of Decision to the IPC in a timely fashion. In the Letter of Decision, Respondent stated that she:
- had no valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) justifying the presence of the prohibited substance founds in the sample;
- requested the analysis of the B sample; and
- challenged the provisional suspension.
Respondent filed a statement in her defence and was heard for the Committee. Respondent stated that two medications were not reported on the Doping Control Form obtained directly from her team doctor.
The Committee finds that no evidence was provided on how the prohibited substance entered Respondent’s body and it was not used with the intention of enhancing her sport performance.
The IPC Anti-Doping Committee recommends the following to the IPC Governing Board:
(a) Respondent’s individual results obtained at the 2012 IPC Athletics European Championships and at any other event from the date of 26 June 2012 onwards should be automatically disqualified, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes won;
(b) A two-year period of ineligibility should be imposed on the Respondent;
(c) The Respondent shall receive credit for the period of provisional suspension and should therefore be declared ineligible from 20 July 2012 (date of notification) until 19 July 2014; and
(d) a financial sanction of € 1.500,- should be imposed on Respondent.
On 9 August 2012 the IPC Governing Board accepted the recommendation of the IPC Anti-Doping Committee.
