Related case:

World Athletics 2019 WA vs Elena Ikonnikova (1)
March 3, 2020

Ms Elena Ikonnikova is an Anti-Doping Coordinator for the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF). 

In August 2018 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the IAAF (now: World Athletics) has reported an anti-doping rule violation of Tampering against the high jumper Danil Lysenko after the AIU had opened an investigation against the Athlete regarding his Whereabouts Failures.

With the assistance of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) the AIU discovered that the Athlete had forged medical documents to the AIU. The AIU also concluded that RusAF officials had been involved in the provision of false explanations and forged documents to the AIU in order to explain whereabouts failures by the Athlete. 

As a result in November 2019 the AIU issued charges against Ms Elena Ikonnikova, RusAF and several other RusAF officials for committing multiple anti-doping rule violations:

• Tampering or Attempted Tampering
• Complicity
• Refusal or failure to report an Anti-Doping Rule Violation
• Refusal or failure to cooperate with investigations.

On 6 March 2020, in seperate disciplinary proceedings, the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal had already decided to impose an 8 year period of ineligibility on Ms Ikonnikova after the AIU had established that she had failed to provide digital evidence without compelling justification during their investigations. Furthermore she had disregarded to comply with the Order issued by the Disciplinary Tribunal in July 2019. 

In the current case Ms Ikonnikova failed to repond to the charges against her within the set deadline regarding the reported anti-doping rule violations. Consequently the AIU deems that Ms Ikonnikova has admitted the anti-doping rule violations, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU. The AIU further considered the violations as a single violation and the sanction based on the anti-doping rule violation that carries the more severe sanction. 

Therefore the AIU decides on 16 February 2021 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on Ms Elena Ikonnikova to be served concurrently with the already imposed 8 year period of ineligibility.

The Cardiac Effects of Performance-Enhancing Medications: Caffeine vs. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids / Sanjay Sivalokanathan, Łukasz A. Małek, Aneil Malhotra. - (Diagnostics 11 (2021) 2 (17 February); p. 1-14)

• PMID: 33671206
• PMCID: PMC7922604
• DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11020324

Abstract

Several performance-enhancing or ergogenic drugs have been linked to both significant adverse cardiovascular effects and increased cardiovascular risk. Even with increased scrutiny on the governance of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in professional sport and heightened awareness of the associated cardiovascular risk, there are some who are prepared to risk their use to gain competitive advantage. Caffeine is the most commonly consumed drug in the world and its ergogenic properties have been reported for decades. Thus, the removal of caffeine from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of banned substances, in 2004, has naturally led to an exponential rise in its use amongst athletes. The response to caffeine is complex and influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Whilst the evidence may be equivocal, the ability of an athlete to train longer or at a greater power output cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, its impact on the myocardium remains unanswered. In contrast, anabolic androgenic steroids are recognised PEDs that improve athletic performance, increase muscle growth and suppress fatigue. Their use, however, comes at a cost, afflicting the individual with several side effects, including those that are detrimental to the cardiovascular system. This review addresses the effects of the two commonest PEDs, one legal, the other prohibited, and their respective effects on the heart, as well as the challenge in defining its long-term implications.

In November 2020 the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) reported that the Jockey Philip Prince had tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine in a high concentration (8450 ng/ml). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Jockey was heard for the BHA Judicial Panel.

The Jockey admitted the violation and cooperated with the investigation. He acknowledged that he is a regular and frequent user of Cocaine since December 2019.

The Panel finds that a prohibited substance has been established in the Jockey's sample and accordingly that he committed a violation of the Rules of Racing.

The Panel considers that the concentration of Cocaine found in the Jockey's sample was about 56 times the threshold level and that he rode with a high quantity of Cocaine in his system, endangering himself, his horse but also his fellow jockeys and their horses.

Further the Panel regards that the Jockey admitted his addiction and sought assistance of the Proffessional Jockeys Association in following a residential rehabilitation programme.

Therefore the BHA Judicial Panel decides on 27 November 2020 to impose a suspension of the Jockey's license for 6 months, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 20 November 2020.

Relatório annual de 2020 / Autoridade Brasileira de Controle de Dopagem (ABCD) - Brazilian Doping Control Authority. - Brasília : ABCD, 2021

In November 2020 the National Anti-Doping Commission (ADC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the badminton player Aldo Polidano after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Indapamide.

After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained with evidence that for years he used prescribed medication to control his high blood pressure whereas this medication was mentioned on the Doping Control Form.

The Athlete asserted that he had less awareness of the anti-doping rules, neither that he had to apply for a TUE. He acknowledged that he failed to check his medication and he was unaware that his medication could contain a prohibited substance.

The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Panel accepts that the violation was not intentional and concludes that the Athlete had acted negligently with his prescribed medication.

Therefore the Disciplinary Panel decides on 22 February 2021 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 19 January 2021.

Annual Report 2020 / Slovenian Anti-Doping Organisation (SLOADO) - Ljubljani : Slovenska Antidoping Organizacija, 2021

2020 Annual Statistical Report On Doping Control / Bulgarian Anti-Doping Centre (ADC). - Sofia : ADC, 2021

Related case:

TJD-AD 2021-012 Appeal Decision - Triathlon
June 18, 2021

An anti-doping rule violation was reported against the amateur triathlon Athlete (42) after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Androsterone, Testosterone including its Adiols. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence.

The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the substances and requested for the application of the principle of lex mitior. She explained that the positive test was the result of the prescribed medication she had used for hormone replacement therapy whereas she mentioned her medication on the Doping Control Form. 

The TJD-AD Rapporteur establishes that the Athlete indeed participated in triahtlon as an amateur athlete, that the principle of lex mitior is applicable and that mitigating circumstances justifies the imposition of a reduced sanction.

The Rapporteur accepts that the violation was not intentional, that she established no Significant Fault or Negligence and that she acted with a standard light degree of Fault. 

Therefore the TJD-AD Panel decides on 23 February 2021 to impose a 4 month period of ineligibility on the Athlee, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 25 August 2019.

In July 2019 the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Lorenzo Thomas after his A and B samples teste positive for the prohibited substance GW1516. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for AAA Arbitration Tribunal. 

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and believed that the supplement Neurocore was the source of the positive test. He had used this supplement only after inspection of its label and consultation with a sports law doctor. 

Analysis of the Athlete's supplement in the Montreal Lab did not reveal the presence of GW1516. The original container of Neurocore was already discarded and the Athlete was unable to obtain information on the batch or lot number of this supplement he had used at the relevant time.

Furthermore the Athlete asserted that the test result should be invalided since several inconsistencies occurred as departures of the ISTI during the sample collection procedure. 

Considering the evidence in this case the Panel finds that no departures of the ISTI occurred and that the Athlete failed to establish that any alleged departure caused of could reasonably have caused the presence of GW1516 in his samples. Further the Athlete was unable to offer any proof of any contamination of his supplements. 

Although there was no evidence the Athlete intentionally had used GW1516 the Panel finds that the Athlete failed to establish that his positive test was not the result of any significant fault or negligence. 

Therefore the AAA Arbitration Tribunal decides on 23 February 2021 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 25 July 2019.

COVID-19: Athlete Q&A / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2021

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published a new Question and Answer (Q&A) document for athletes related to anti-doping and COVID-19, which is an update to the last version that the Agency published on 25 May 2020.
 
The Q&A addresses matters such as the following -- reflecting the evolving nature of the pandemic; the changing testing environment; and, the fact that a growing number of Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) have resumed normal testing.

• Testing during COVID-19
• Minimizing the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus
• Filing of whereabouts information
• Validating Therapeutic Use Exemptions
• Maintaining the integrity of the global anti-doping system
• Impact of COVID-19 vaccines
• Confidence in the anti-doping system

The Q&A will continue to be updated to provide the latest information to athletes on how testing programs may evolve by integrating further health precautions to protect both clean sport and the health of athletes and sample collection personnel alike. WADA has also provided extensive guidance to ADOs, to ensure that testing is carried out in a secure manner, while respecting regional public health guidelines. The latest such document is the Agency’s ADO Guidance for Testing during COVID-19 Pandemic of 25 November 2020. Athletes who wish to know more about what specific measures their International Sport Federation (IF) or National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) are taking in the face of this unprecedented challenge are encouraged to contact them directly.