In May 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the shooter Pankaj Mukheja after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Propranolol. Following notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).

The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained that he had used prescribed medication for his condition.

The Athlete asserted that he was unaware that his medication was prohibited whereas he had mentioned this on the Doping Control Form. Yet, his application for a TUE was rejected by the TUE Committee in May 2023.

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 deems that the Athlete had acted negligently with his improper medication he used since December 2022. Moreover the Panel determines that he had already available proper medication without banned substances, prescribed in March 2023 by his doctor.

Therefore the Panel decides on 25 October 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

In January 2023 NADO Flanders reported an anti-doping rule violation against the judoka after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Acetazolamide.

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

The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He acknowledged that he had used a medication without a prescription as treatment for his altitude sickness.

The Commission finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed. The Commission accepts that the violation was not intentional and deems that the Athlete acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 24 October 2024 to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on 1 May 2023.

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

In May 2022 NADO Flanders reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Dutch hockey player after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis in a concentration above the WADA threshold. 

Following notification the Athlete accepted a provisional suspension. He did not accept the proposed sanction and he was heard for the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission.

The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of Cannabis. He acknowledged that he had smoked more then 4 joints, yet had used Cannabis frequently during the weekdays.

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. Further the Commission determines that the Athlete's statement about his frequent use is consistent with the concentration found in his sample.

Therefore the NADO Flanders Disciplinary Commission decides on 24 October 2023 to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 20 May 2022.

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

In July 2023 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the American tennis player Jenson Brooksby for his whereabouts filing failures and missed tests within a 12 month period.

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

The Athlete did not dispute the first and third missed test on 19 April 2022 and 4 February 2023, yet he challenged the charge of a missed test on 4 June 2022. He admitted that he had delegated the responsibility for his anti-doping obligations to his agent and he had never attended anti-doping seminars.

The Athlete explained that he was present in the hotel, yet his hotelroom and the hotelroom of his physiotherapist had been booked under the name of his physiotherapist. He acknowledged that when he checked in his name was not put on the reservation and he did not hear to his cell phone ring because he had set it to silent.

The Athlete asserted that the Doping Control Officer (DCO) did not do what was reasonable in the circumstances to collect a sample from him. By contrast the ITF argued that the DCO was unable to locate the Athlete in the hotel because his room was registered in the name of his physiotherapist and he did nothing to address that risk.

In view of the evidence the Panel accepts that the Athlete was present in the hotel, yet failed in his duty to be available and accessible. Further the Panel determines that the DCO took all reasonable steps in the circumstances to locate the Athlete at the hotel.

The Panel deems that the Athlete had acted with a degree of negligence because he had failed to update his roomnumber in his whereabouts information because it was registered under the name of his physiotherapist. He also failed to answer the telephone call of the DCO because he had left the phone in silent mode.

Therefore the ITF Independent Tribunal decides on 24 October 2023 to impose an 18 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 5 July 2023.

Related case:

ADDPI 2022_244 INADA vs Amandeep
February 3, 2023

On 3 February 2023 the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI) decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete Amandeep after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Darbepoetin (dEPO). Hereafter the Athlete appealed the ADDPI Decision with the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of India (ADAPI).

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He stated that he had received "dope free" injections for muscle relaxation and recovery on advice of his coach.

INADA contended that Athlete had acted negligently while he previously had followed multiple anti-doping awareness programmes. In spite of all that he did not consult a doctor about these injections nor did he check the substance.

The Appeal Panel assessed the Athlete's conduct in this case and agrees that the Athlete had acted with significant fault in accepting these injections from his coach. The Panel concludes that there are no grounds for a reduced sanction.

Therefore the Appeal Panel decides on 20 Oktober 2023 to dismiss the Athlete's appeal and to uphold the Appealed Decision of 3 February 2023.

In February 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Daisy Cherotich after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO).

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. Initially the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications. Ultimately in July 2023 the Athlete timely admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

The AIU deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Because she had signed and submitted the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 19 October 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 February 2023.

In April 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Chinese Athlete Xin Zhang after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Metandienone. Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence.

The Athlete explained that in March 2023 she had attended a group training run and that there had been een mix up of drink bottles. The drink bottle she had prepared for was similar to the drink bottle prepared by others.

The Athlete had contacted the participants who had attended the group training run. She claimed that a Training Partner had added Dianabol (Metandienone) into his bottle to improve muscle strength.

AIU requested assistance from the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) with an investigation into the Athlete's explanation. CHINADA's investigation confirmed that the Training Partner had admitted the use of Methandienone in his drink bottle. Besides he had also purchased and used other banned substances.

The AIU concludes that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation and that she failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional. Thereupon in September 2023 the AIU submitted a Notice of Charge to the Athlete and an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

Hereafter the Athlete gave a timely admission, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU. Because she had signed and submitted the Acceptance of Consequences Form she received a 1 year reduction from the AIU.

Therefore the AIU decides on 18 October 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 April 2023.

In May 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the powerlifter Mumin Khan after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Furosemide.

Following notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).

The Athlete explained that was his first Doping Control and that he has used medication prescribed by his doctor as treatment for his high blood pressure. He asserted that he was unaware that the medication Lasix contained a prohibited substance, nor that he had to apply for a TUE.

INADA disputed the authenticity of the medical documents provided by the Athlete. Further it contended that he failed to mention his medication on the Doping Control Form, nor made an application for a TUE.

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 deems that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional, nor the source of the prohibited substance. The Panel agrees that the Athlete's medical documents are dubious.

Therefore the Panel decides on 17 October 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

In May 2023 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Brenda Chebet after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Methasterone.

Following notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing and accepted in this settlement the sanction proposed by ADAK. The Athlete received a 1 year reduction for her timely admission of the anti-doping rule violation.

Therefore on 17 October 2023 ADAK decides to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on 3 September 2023.

In May 2023 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the powerlifter Khushi after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Clenbuterol, Mephentermine and Methasterone.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and she was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).

The Panel finds that the presence of prohibited substances has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that she committed an anti-doping rule violation.

Therefore the Panel decides on 16 October 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 8 May 2023.