Mr. Nikolay Marfin (Respondent) is a Russian athlete in the sport of IPC Powerlifting. Respondent competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games where he provided a sample for doping control.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has reported an anti doping rule violation against Respondent after his blood samples showed an adverse analytical finding classified as S2. Growth Hormone on de WADA 2012 Prohibited List.
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 5 September 2012. Respondent returned the signed Letter of Decision to the IPC.
Respondent admitted he has committed an anti-doping rule violation and that he accepts the consequences. The team doctor and NPC Russia confirmed that the substances declared on the doping control forms did not contain the prohibited substance.
Respondent stated that he had injected the prohibited substance himself. He had suffered serious injuries prior to the competition. To assist with the recovery from his injuries, he researched the internet and found a product containing the prohibited substance.
Respondent had provided a sample before and tested negative at the Paralympic Pre-Games Camp on 1 August 2012 in Russia. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency did not conduct blood testing due to the high costs connected with such testing.
The IPC Anti-Doping Committee recommends to the IPC Governing Body:
(a) to impose a two-year period of ineligibility from 23 August 2012 (date of the notification);
(b) to impose a financial sanction of € 1500,- on Respondent.
On 8 September 2012 the IPC Governing Board accepted the recommendation of the IPC Anti-Doping Committee.
