In September 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Italian Athlete Ahmed Abdelwahed after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance, he argued that the concentration in his sample was very low, and he assumed that his supplements through biotransformation had caused the positive test. However analysis in a laboratory of his supplements and hair did not reveal the presence of Meldonium.

The AIU contended that the presence of a prohibited substance properly had been established in the Athlete's sample and that the B sample had confirmed the A sample. There is no evidence of supplement contamination and the AIU rejected the Athlete's alleged biotransformation theory.

The Panel assessed and addressed the evidence of the parties and their expert witnesses and determines that:

• The presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's samples and accordingly he committed an anti-doping rule violation.
• The Athlete failed to produce convincing evidence about the biotransformation theory.
• The Athlete failed to demonstrate that he acted with No Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the Panel decides on 5 December 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 7 September 2023.

In October 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Fouad Idbafdil after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

Following notification the Athlete admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU. 

Because he had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form he received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 6 December 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 30 October 2023.

iNADO Update (2023) 11/12 (6 December)
Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO)

Contents:

Building a Sportive Community

• Welcome Indonesia
• Invitation to Participate in Code Review Feedback and Discussions
• 2024 iNADO Annual General Assembly and Workshop
• ADAMS Group

Improving Practice Everywhere

• iNADO Webinar: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of ADO EPO Programmes Lessons learned and Q&A
• Summary and Recording: AFLD Handling of sunbstances of abuse in results management Recording and summary
• e-Library new material

Speaking up for NADOs and RADOs Globally

• Remarkable contribution during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou

Guiding Principles

• iNADO invites the Anti-doping community to sign the Declaration on Guiding Principles

Monthly Features

• Goodbye Janka and Ilayda
• Welcome to the team Alex
• New CEOs Malta and India
• Joseph de Pencier Condolences Book

iNADO Sponsors and Partners

• Berlinger Special AG celebrates 30 Years of commitment to sports integrity

Related case:

ADAK 2019 ADAK vs James Mwangi Wangari
September 23, 2020

23 September 2020 the Kenyan Sports Disputes Tribunal decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete James Mwangi Wangari after his sample tested posive for the prohibted substance Testosterone.

Hereafter in December 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported a new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after he tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the World Athletitcs Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He alleged that a contaminated supplement had caused the positive test result and that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

He asserted that without success he made diligent attempts to establish the source of the prohibited substance. Because of the costs he was also unable to request analysis of his B sample.

World Athletics contended that the Athlete had committed a second anti-doping rule violation and failed to demonstrate with corroborating evidence that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence. Because of the high concentration established in the sample his violation is deemed to be intentional.

The Sole Arbitrator Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed a second anti-doping rule violation. The Panel deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.

The Sole Arbitrator considers that there is no corroborating evidence about the contamination theorie. Moreover the Sole Arbitrator agrees that the high concentration found in the Athlete's sample can only be consistent with the administration of a Nandrolone injection.

Therefore the Disciplinary Tribunal decides on 7 December 2023 to impose an 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 21 December 2022.

NADO Flanders reported two anti-doping rule violations against the weightlifter for use and possession after the police found in the Athlete's residence in November 2022 the prohibited substance Metandienone Boldenone, Nandrolone, Oxymetholone and Testosterone. 

After notification the Athlete failed to attend the hearing of the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission and a Decision was rendered in absentia of the Athlete.

Prior the Athlete had admitted these violations and stated that he had followed a course of treatment 5 or 6 times. In view of the evidence the Commission determines that the Athlete possessed a high number of prohibited substances and intentionally had used these banned products

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

In 2023 NADO Flanders reported two anti-doping rule violations against the weightlifter for possession and use of a prohibited substance. Previously the police had informed NADO Flanders that in April 2023 they had found Stanozolol in possession of the Athlete.

After notification the Athlete was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission. The Athlete admitted the violations and stated that he had purchased this product online.

In view of the evidence and the admission the Commission finds that the Athlete intentionally had committed these anti-doping rule violations.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

In 2023 NADO Flanders reported two anti-doping rule violations against the weightlifter for possession and use of prohibited substances. After notification the Athlete was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission.

Previously the police had informed NADO Flanders that in July 2022 they had found Cannabis in possession of the Athlete. Thereupon the police searched his residence and found a large number of products containing multiple prohibited substances:

• Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone;
• Mesterolone;
• Metandienone;
• Nandrolone;
• Oxandrolone;
• Oxymetholone;
• Stanozolol; and
• Testosterone.

The Athlete admitted the possession and stated that he had used these substances for 2 years. Prior he had used prescription Testosterone and because of the costs he purchased it on the internet.

In view of the evidence and the admission the Commission finds that the Athlete intentionally had committed these anti-doping rule violations.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

In May 2023 NADO Flanders reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Lithuanian Athlete after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone,19-noretiocholanolone (Nandrolone) Boldenone and Stanozolol.

After notification the Athlete failed to attend the hearing of the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission and a Decision was rendered in absentia of the Athlete.

The Commission 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.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a fine and a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

In July 2023 NADO Flanders reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Dutch kickboxer after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Furosemide. 

Following notification the Athlete did not accept the sanction proposed by NADO Flanders. Thereupon he was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission.

The Athlete accepted the test results and denied the intentional use of the substance. However he could not explain the source of the substance and he assumed that there had been een mix-up of medication belonging to him and his mother.

The Commission 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 Commission did not accept the Athlete's explanation and regards that he probably had used the substance in order to reduce his weight. Consequently the Commision deems that he failed to demonstrate how the substance had entered his system, nor grounds for a reduced sanction.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 12 December 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Fees and expenses for this Commission shall be borne partially by the Athlete.

Related case:

SAIDS 2023-09 SAIDS vs Tebogo Tsotetsi
August 15, 2023

On 15 August 2023 the Anti-Doping Tribunal Hearing Panel decided to impose a 20 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete Tebogo Tsotetsi after she tested positive for the prohibited substance Salbutamol.

In First Instance the Panel accepted that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and deemed that she had acted negligently with grounds for a reduced sanction.

Hereafter in September 2023 the Athlete appealed the Decision of the Hearing Panel. The Athlete requested the Appeal Board to set aside the Appealed Decision and to impose a further reduced sanction.

The Athlete admitted the violation and explained that she was unaware that the cough syrup she had used for her illness contained Salbutamol. She asserted the she acted not intentional due to ignorance as a recreational athlete who had never received anti-doping education.

Although the violation was not intentional SAIDS contended that the Athlete acted negligently with her self-medication that clearly contained a prohibited substance. Further SAIDS rejected that she is a recreational athlete because of her participation in large marathons finishing in the top percentiles.

Following assessment of the Athlete's conduct with her self-medication the Appeal Board determines that the Athlete had acted with a degree of negligence and that there were no grounds to reduce the imposed sanction.

Therefore the Appeal Board decides on 12 December 2023 to dismiss the Athlete's appeal and to uphold the Appealed Decision and the sanction of 20 months.