In September 2022 World Rugby reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Zimbabwean rugby player Tavonga Ablant after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).

Following notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by World Rugby.

The Athlete admitted the intentional use of the substance. Because the Athlete gave a prompt admission and signed the acceptance of sanction within the set deadline he received a 1 year reduction from World Rugby.

Therefore World Rugby decides on 9 February 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 27 September 2022.

In July 2022 World Rugby reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Chilean rugby player Vincente Tredinick after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Clomifene.

Following notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by World Rugby.

The Athlete admitted the intentional use of the substance. Because he gave a prompt admission and acceptance of sanction within the set deadline he received a 1 year reduction from World Rugby.

Therefore World Rugby decides on 9 February 2023 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 27 September 2022.

In October 2022 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Korean wheelchair tennis player Kyu-Seung Kim (59) after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Hydrochlorothiazide.

After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the ITF.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained with evidence that he had used prescribed medication as treatment for his Hypertension.

Previously the Athlete had used prescribed Telmirotan tablets without issues. However he was unaware, nor was he informed, that his prescription had changed and instead he had received Telmirotan Plus tablets containing the prohibited substance.

In view of the evidence the ITF accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional, that the source of the prohibited substance had been established and that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence. Further the ITF had determined that that during the provisional suspension the Parathlete had trained twice with his national wheelchair tennis team.

Therefore the ITF decides on 24 March 2023 to impose a 12 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of this Decision.

In March 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletitcs reported anti-doping rule violations against the Kenyan Athlete Eglay Nafuna Nalyanya after her samples - provided on 1 February 2022 and on 12 February 2022 - tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone).

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. Ultimately in March 2023 the Athlete was heard for the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.

At first the Athlete accepted the test results and denied the intentional use of the substance. She explained that in January 2022 she underwent medical treatment in a hospital in Kenya for her condition and received prescribed medication including  Sustanon (Testosterone).

In support the Athlete produced medical information and the statement from a Kenyan doctor. She acknowledged that she didn't mention to the doctor that she was an Athlete submitted to Doping Control.

For the AIU the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) conducted an investigation into the Athlete's evidence. Thereupon ADAK established in this small hospital the doctor mentioned in the documents did not exist, nor did the Athlete underwent medical treatment.

Furthermore the Athlete's Patient Treatment Card and prescription were falsifications. Sustanon was not available in the hospital and the alleged use of this substance could not explain the presence of Nandrolone in the Athlete's sample.

Consequently the AIU reported in June 2022 anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete for the presence and use of Nandrolone and for tampering with any part of the doping control process.

Again the Athlete denied that she acted intentionally and maintained that she had received a medical treatment. She claimed that the medical documents she had provided to the AIU were authentical.

In view of similar Kenyan cases with falsified medical documents the AIU concludes that a person or persons assisted athletes including someone with considerable medical knowledge. This assistance is not limited to a single case but evidences a pattern of behaviour.

After assessment of the evidence in this case the Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to provide a credible explanation for the positive test results. Also the Panel deems that the Athlete had provided fraudulent documentation and a false explanations to the AIU.

Consequently the Panel determines that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation for the presence of Nandrolone. Additionally the Panel finds that the Athlete had tampered with the doping control process as second anti-doping rule violation.

Therefore the Panel decides on 20 March 2023 to impose an 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 18 March 2022.

In June 2022 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Alice Aprot Nawowuma after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Letrozole.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. She explained she had used prescribed medication as treatment for her condition.

The Athlete had a problem with breast milk production and visited a pharmacy near her trainingcamp in Nairobi. She informed the pharmacy that she was an Athlete submitted to Doping Control.

The pharmacy assured that her medication did not contain probibited substances. She did not know what medication she had received, nor had she checked this medication before using.

ADAK contended that het Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional and requested the Panel to impose a sanction of 4 years.

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

After assessment of the evidence the Panel deems that the Athlete had not filed relevant evidence that corroborates her testimony. Consequently the Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to establish the source of the prohibited substance, nor that the violation was not intentonal.

Therefore the Sports Disputes Tribunal decides on 2 March 2023 to impose a 4 year period of inelgibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 July 2022.

In February 2022 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Agatha Jeruto Kimaswai after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Clomifene.

Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in her defence. The Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal settled the case based on the written submissions of the Parties.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. She explained with medical information that she underwent treatment for her condition and that she had used prescribed medication.

She had received only minimal anti-doping edcuation and she requested for a reduced sanction. She asserted that she was unaware that her prescribed medication contained a prohibited substance.

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

In view of the evidence the Panel determines that the Athlete has demonstrated the source of the prohibited substance and that the violation was not intentional. Nevertheless the Panel deems that she failed to establish that she acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the Sports Disputes Tribunal decides on 2 March 2023 to impose a 2 year period of inelgibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 10 March 2022.

Tyra Gittens is an Athlete from Trinidad and Tobago. She is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and as treatment she used Methylphenidate (Ritalin). She had a TUE granted by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee that was valid until 31 December 2021.

In June 2022 the Athlete was tested during the national championships. However she was unaware that her TUE had expired, nor was she informed thereafter that she tested positive for Methylphenidate without a valid TUE.

In July 2022 the Athlete had qualified for the World Athletics Championships 2022 and she made a late TUE application to World Athletics. However this application was returned to her in August 2022 because it was incomplete.

Meanwhile in 23 July 2022 at the World Athletics Championships 2022 the Athlete was tested and she mentioned her medication on the Doping Control Form while her TUE application was pending.

On 3 November 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her sample - provided in July 2022 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Methylphenidate.

Following notification the Athlete accepted a provisional suspension ans she made an application for a retroactive TUE. She explained with medical information and her TUE applications that she use prescribed Ritalin as treatment for her ADHD.

At the same time on 15 November 2022 the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Agency (CRADO) reported that her sample - provided in June 2022 - also had tested positive for the substance Methylphenidate.

After assessment of the case the AIU detemines:

• The Athlete's violations were no intentional.
• The source of the positive tests was her prescribed medication containing Methylphenidate.
• She was unaware that her previous TUE had expired.
• Only in November 2022 she was notified that her previous TUE had expired and that her June 2022 sample tested positive.
• The two reported violations shall be considered as one single first anti-doping rule violation.
• She failed to apply for a renewed national TUE in time, nor made a timely complete TUE application to World Athletics.
• She acted with a light degree of fault.
• There were substantial delays in notifying the Athlete about her positive test results not attributed to the Athlete.
• She admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.

Therefore on 30 March 2023 the AIU decides to impose a reduced 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting backdated by 2 months, i.e. on 26 September 2022.

In April 2022 United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the boxer Amir Khan after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Enobosarm (Ostarine) in a low concentration.

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

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. However he was unable to demonstrate the source of the positive test because the supplements he used did not contain prohibited substances.

He asserted that he recently was tested without issues. Because of the low concentration found in his sample he assumed that a contaminated supplement was the source. 

After assessment of the evidence and testimonies of experts witnesses the Panel deems that the Athlete had established that his violation was not intentional. The Panel regards that the objective scientific evidence ruled out any reckless conduct by the Athlete.

Further the Panel rejects the possibility that the Athlete had administered micro-doses of Ostarine or any dose that could enhance his sport performances. In this matter the Athlete was  tested 7 days before what excludes the possible argument that the low concentration in his sample was the result of an effective dose Ostarine administered before 12 February 2022.

Therefore the National Anti-Doping Panel decides on 21 February 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 6 April 2022.

iNADO Update (2023) 4 (3 March)
Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO)

Contents:

Building a Supportive Community

• Women & Anti-Doping: iNADO Workshop
• Maira Bakasheva, new iNADO Board Member
• iNADO Annual Report 2022
• iNADO Partners

Speaking up for NADOs and RADOs Globally

• iNADO ADAMS Working Group meeting #3
• Election of the first WADA NADO EAG Chair and Vice Chair
• Are we better prepared to prevent institutionalized doping?

Improving Practice Everywhere

• Invitation: DoCoLab 50 Year Anniversary Symposium
• New iNADO Webinar
• Summary of iNADO Webinar
• Ten years of iNADO Celebration

Monthly Features

• Partnership for Clean Competition Conference
• New Director of the Tunisian Anti-Doping Agency
• Erratum: Rachel Kwon (International Relations Director)
• KADA for the development of doping control in Asia/Oceania region

iNADO Sponsors and Partners

• New at the Anti-Doping Knowledge Center

In 2016, Professor Richard McLaren issued two reports about systemic doping in Russia. These reports identified a significant number of Russian athletes who were involved in, or benefitted from, the doping schemes and practices that he uncovered.

Hereafter in January 2019 the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recovered the internal database of the Moscow Laboratory (LIMS). Following investigation of allegations of organized doping practices, and in particular of the LIMS, WADA provided international federations with investigation reports on the athletes implicated in these organized doping practices.

These investigation reports revealed that a prohibited substance has been established in the 2 samples of the Athlete Maksim Sidorov. These samples were provided by the Athlete in 2012 and thereupon deliberately reported as negative by the Moscow laboratory.

As a result in July 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete for the use of the prohibited substance Oxandrolone in 2012. After notification the Athlete failed to respond to the AIU communications.

Without the Athlete's response the AIU deems that he has waived his right to a hearing, to have accepted the asserted anti-doping rule violations and the sanction rendered by the AIU. The AIU considers that there are aggravating circumstances present in this case that justifies the imposition of a more severe sanction.

Furthermore the AIU determines that the Athlete previously was sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of 1 year from 3 July 2017 until 2 July 2018. In the present case the AIU shall count the reported 2012 anti-doping rule violations as single first violation together with the 2017 first violation.

Therefore the AIU decides on 20 March 2023 to impose an additional 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision. All the Athlete's results from 15 July 2012 until 3 July 2017 are disqualified with all of the resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, points, prize money and prizes.