In July 2023 Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) reported an anti-doping rule violations against the rugby player Isaia Walker-Leawere after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis in a concentration above the WADA threshold.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right to be heard, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by DFSNZ.
The parties in this case reached an agreement and filed a joint memorandum in relation to the sanction for approval into a decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union Judicial Committee.

The Judicial Committee considers that the Athlete gave a prompt admission about his out-of-competition use of Cannabis. Further the Committee considers that the Athlete completed a Substance of Abuse treatment programme approved by DFSNZ.

Therefore the New Zealand Rugby Union Judicial Committee decides on 4 August 2023 to impose a 1 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, ending on 5 August 2023.

Related case:

TJD-AD 2023-014 Appeal Decision - Basketball
October, 4, 2023


In January 2023 the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the basketball player after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis in a concentration above the WADA threshold.

Following notification the Athlete did not accept a provisional suspension. He filed a statement in his defence and the case was referrred to the Brazilian Sports Justice Anti-Doping Tribunal (TJD-AD).

Preliminary the Athlete sought for a sanction under the Substance of Abuse stipulations. However, ABCD proposed a 4 year sanction due to lack of grounds for a reduced sanction.

The Athlete made no admission, nor did he prove that the use of Cannabis occurred out-of-competition. He merely denied the intentional use of Cannabis and argued that the substance does not enhance sport performance.

The Rapporteur 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 Rapporteur deems that there is no evidence that the Athlete acted intentionally. However, he made no admission, neither demonstrated out-of-competion use of Cannabis.

Considering the high concentration found in the Athlete's sample the Rapporteur concludes that violation occurred in-competition. Furthermore the Athlete had not accepted a provisional suspension.

Therefore the TJD-AD Panel decides on 3 August 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.

Related case:

TJD-AD 2023-015 Appeal Decision - Cycling
October 4, 2023

In October 2022 the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the cyclist after his 2 samples, both collected in September 2022, tested positive for the prohibited substances Prednisolone, Prednisone and Testosterone with its metabolites.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. However ABCD reported that the Athlete had participated in competitions during the imposed provisional suspension.

Thereupon the Athlete did not accept the sanction proposed by ABCD. He filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Brazilian Sports Justice Anti-Doping Tribunal (TJD-AD).

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the subsances and requested the Panel to dismiss the charges against him. He stated that he only had used natural products in order to stimulate his endogenous hormone production and libido.

The prosecutor contended that the test results were valid and without departures of the relevant standards. Also the Athlete failed to demonstrate that he acted not intentionally.

The Ahtlete had no TUE and there was evidence that he had breached the imposed provisional suspension. Furthermore the substances found in his sample were exogenous, not endogenous, whereas he had acted negligently with his supplements.

Therefore the TJD-AD Panel decides on 3 August 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete. Because the Athlete had breached the imposed provisional suspension the Panel by majority decides to impose an additional 2 years on the Athlete. This 6 year period of ineligibility shall start on the of the decision.

Related case:

TJD-AD 2023-002 Disciplinary Decision - Cycling
April 25, 2023

In April 2021 the Brazilian Sports Justice Anti-Doping Tribunal (TJD-AD) decided to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the cyclist for the use of the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO), starting on 21 August 2019.

However in June 2022 the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD) reported a new anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete.

ABCD's investigation had revealed that the Athlete had acted as a coach of a cycling team during the imposed period of ineligibility. ABCD also reported a violation against the official coach of the cycling team for his prohibited association with the sanctioned Athlete.

Consequently the TJD-AD Panel decided on 25 April 2023 to impose an additional 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete. Furthermore a 2 year period of ineligibility was imposed on the coach of the cycling team.

Hereafter the Athlete and the coach filed an apeal with the TJD-AD Appeal Panel. They requested to set aside the Appealed Decision and argued that there were grounds for a reduced sanction.

The Rapporteur of the Appeal Panel assessed and addressed the evidence and the Athlete's conduct in this case. Nevertheless the Rapporteur rejected the preliminary issues raised by the Athlete and deemed that she clearly had breached the imposed period of ineligibility as acting coach of the cycling team.

Accordingly the Rapporteur confirms and specifies the sanctions that had been imposed in first instance:

• 3 years as additional sanction on the Athlete, starting on 20 August 2022; and
• 2 years on the coach, starting on 25 April 2023.

Therefore the TJD-AD Appeal Panel decides on 3 August 2023 to dismiss the appeal filed by the Athlete and the coach and to uphold the Appealed Decision.

Έκθεση πεπραγμένων – ετήσια αναφορά 2022 / Hellenic Anti-Doping Agency (HADA). - Maroussi, 2023

Related case:

World Athletics 2019 WA vs Carina Horn
September 10, 2021

Previously on 10 September 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for World Athletics decided to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the South African Athlete Carina Horn, after she tested positive for the prohibited substances Ibutamoren and LGD-4033 (ligandrol).

Hereafter in June 2022 the Basque Anti-Doping Agency reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol.

Consequently on 13 March 2023 the Basque public authorities decided to impose a 6 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete for her second anti-doping rule violation.

Thereupon the Athlete's appeal was dismissed by the Basque public authorities and the AIU was informed about the imposed sanction.

Because the Basque public authorities are not a Signatory of the WADA Code the AIU investigated whether the Basque Decision and the Basque Anti-Doping Act were consistent with the WADA Code.

Following assessment the AIU deemed that the Basque Anti-Doping Act is consistent with the WADA Code in all its material aspects. Accordingly the Basque Decision regarding Carina Horn must be implemented by World Athletics, the AIU and member federations.

Therefore the AIU decides on 2 August for implementation of a 6 year period of ineligibility imposed on the Athlete Carine Horn for her second anti-doping rule violation, starting on 13 March 2023.

In November 2018 United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the bobsleigh Athlete Nathan Togun after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Stanozolol.

Consequently UKAD decided on 5 August 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 13 November 2018 until 12 November 2022.

During the Athlete's period of ineligibility UKAD reported 2 separate new anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete:

• In February 2020 for his breach of ineligibility;
• In June 2021 for tampering with any part of the doping control process.

After an investigation UKAD established in late 2019 that the Athlete had assisted a professional boxer in preparation for a bout. Thereupon UKAD's second investigation established in November 2022 that the Athlete previously had produced a false medical statement for his Stanazolol prescription.

Following notification of these separate anti-doping rule violations UKAD imposed a new provisional suspension, starting on the date the Athlete's current period of ineligibility expired.

In February 2020 the Athlete admitted that he had sparring sessions with the boxer and had assisted him with strenght and conditions sessions. The Athlete believed that his ban prohibited him from assisting athletes in bobsleigh and athletics only, as he prior had competed in these two sports.

In November 2021 the Athlete asserted that the medical statement for the prescription of Stanazolol was genuine when he presented this to UKAD. Ultimately in February 2023 he admitted that this medical statement was a falsification.

In view of the Athlete's conduct UKAD accepts that the Athlete's breach of ban was not intentional. As a result the Athlete accepts a 1 year period of ineligibility proposed by UKAD.

In the matter of the Tampering violation UKAD deems that the Athlete had committed a seconds anti-doping rule violation without grounds for a reduced sanction.

Therefore UKAD decides on 2 August 2023 that:

• a.) Mr Togun has committed an ADRV pursuant to 2015 ADR Article 2.5;
• b.) This constitutes Mr Togun’s second ADRV. In accordance with 2015 ADR Article 10.7.1 the applicable period of Ineligibility is eight (8) years;
• c.) Separately, Mr Togun has committed a violation of the prohibition against assisting Athletes pursuant to 2019 ADR Article 10.12.1;
• d.) A further period of Ineligibility of one (1) year shall be imposed pursuant to 2019 ADR Article 10.12.5;
• e.) The total further period of Ineligibility to be applied in respect of Mr Togun’s 2015 ADR Article 2.5 violation and 2019 ADR Article 10.12.1 violation is therefore nine (9) years;
• f.) Acknowledging Mr Togun’s Provisional Suspension, the period of Ineligibility is deemed to have commenced on 13 November 2022 and will expire at 11:59pm on 12 November 2031; and
• g.) Mr Togun’s status during the period of Ineligibility shall be as detailed in 2021 ADR Article 10.14.

In March 2023 the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the powerlifter Jonathan Stanley after his sample tested positive for multiple prohibited substances:

• 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone);
• Clostebol;
• Drostanolone;
• Methylphenidate;
• Oxandrolone;
• Testosterone; and
• Trenbolone.

Following notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by CCES. Because the Athlete signed and submitted the Early Admission and Acceptance Form he received a 1 year reduction from CCES.

Therefore CCES decides on 27 September 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 24 July 2023.

iNADO Update (2023) 7/8 (27 July)
Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO)

Contents:

Improving Practice Everywhere

• Register now to DoCoLab Anniversary Symposium
• Overview of International Collaboration Projects
• iNADO Webinar: (Clean) Athlete Vulnerability
• Summary of iNADO Member-only Webinar: Prevention programs for Para athletes: Experiences from SLOADO
• Anti-Doping Norway's 20th Anniversary Seminar: Strengthening Justice and ADO Governance for the Future of Anti-Doping
• New Signatories of the Guiding Principles for the Future of Anti-Doping
• Best Practice Examples in the application of the Guiding Principles

Speaking up for NADOs and RADOs Globally

• Second RADO Round Table Discussion

Monthly Features

• International Seminars by JADA and CHINADA

iNADO Sponsors and Partners

• New at the Anti-Doping Knowledge Center

In March 2023 the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the weightlifter Jean-Christophe Blanchet after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Higenamine.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by CCES. Because the Athlete signed and submitted the Early Admission and Acceptance Form he received a 1 year reduction from CCES.

Therefore CCES decides on 27 July 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 23 March 2023.