Related cases:
FISA 2008 FISA vs Russian Rowing Federation (1)
January 27, 2008
FISA 2008 FISA vs Russian Rowing Federation (2)
April 4, 2008

In September 2007 the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Olga Samulenkova after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance testosterone with a T/E ratio above the WADA threshold.
FISA notified the Athlete and ordered a provisional suspension. The Athlete did not appear for the FISA Doping Hearing Panel but filed a statement in her defence.

The Athlete submitted a few general claims that the testing procedure might have been incorrectly conducted but did not mention this on the doping control form. The Panel concludes that there is no challenge to the test result and the Athlete failed to explain the finding of the presence of the prohibited substance in her body.
Therefore the FISA Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 23 July 2006.

Related cases:
FISA 2008 FISA vs Russian Rowing Federation (1)
January 27, 2008
FISA 2008 FISA vs Russian Rowing Federation (2)
April 4, 2008

The International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) was informed that medical materials were found in a rubbish bin near the hotel used by the Russian team in Lucerne during the World Cup Regatta from 13-15 July 2007.
This comprised intravenous infusion equipment, along with legal substances such as creatine and fructose.
The materials were taken to the Anti-Doping Laboratory in Lausanne and analysed. Hereafter the DNA of one of the blood samples, provided by the Russian Athlete’s, matched with the DNA sample from the blood found on the needles.

In August 2007 the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Svetlanan Fedorova for intravenous infusion with no legitimate medical treatment.
FISA notified the Athlete and a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and was heard for the FISA Doping Hearing Panel.

The Athlete admitted she treated and infused herself on the last day of the competition with creatine phosphate due to her health problems. The Athlete stated she did not know that intravenous infusion was forbidden.
The Panel concludes that the Athlete had used a prohibited method, namely, intravenous infusion with no legitimate medical treatment and without a legitimate medical treatment involved.
Therefore the FISA Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on 28 August 2007.

Facts
The French Federation of Billiards (Fédération Française de Billiard, FFB) charges respondent M60 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a national championship for pool players on January 20, 2013, a sample for a doping test was taken. The sample tested positive for a metabolite of cannabis. Cannabis is a prohibited substance according the Word Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. Cannabis is regarded as a specified substance.

Decision
1. The decision taken on April 10, 2013, by the disciplinary committee of the FFB is cancelled.
2. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of one year in which respondent can't take part in competition or manifestation organized by the FFB.
3. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period of voluntary suspension.
4. All results obtained at the match on January 20, 2013, will be cancelled. Medals, points and price money will be withdrawn.
5. The decision will start on the date of notification.
6. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

The Ukrainian National Rowing Federation has reported an anti-doping violation against the Athlete Nataliya Ryzhkova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance stanozolol.
After the notification the Ukrainian National Rowing Federation ordered a provisional suspension. The Athlete did not appear for the FISA Doping Hearing Panel but filed a statement in her defence.

The Athlete stated she had been treated for a long period of time at the Specialized Sports Clinic with little effect for a problem with knee joint bursitis. She then consulted a general practitioner who recommended a course of treatment using medicines which included a substance on the prohibited list. The Athlete argued that general medical reference books do not divide medications into permitted and prohibited drugs. She also stated she desperately wanted to recover as soon as she could to resume her full training and competitive career.

The Panel concludes that the Athlete’s explanation is insufficient and she acted at fault and negligence due to she did not mention the prohibited medication on the doping control form although she did mention other supplements and medications. The Panel finds that Athletes are responsible for the medications or substances they take into their bodies. It is not a sufficient excuse that a substance was prescribed by a general practitioner and that general medical books do not identify permitted and non-permitted substances or that an athlete wants to recover to return to competition.
Therefore the FISA Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 30 April 2007.

Facts
The French Rugby Federation (Fédération Française de Rugby, FFR) charges respondent M59 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a match on December 9, 2012, a sample was taken for a doping test. The sample tested positive on stanozolol, trenbolone, 19-norandrosterone, boldenone and testosterone or their metabolites. All of these substances are prohibited according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list.

History
The respondent explains that the positive test is caused by supplements he uses for his bodybuilding to increase muscle mass.

Decision
1. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of 3 years in which respondent can't take part in competition or manifestations organized by French sport organizations.
2. The period of ineligibility will be shortened with the period of voluntary suspension.
3. The decision will start on the date of notification.
4. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

The Bulgarian Rowing Federation has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Milka Dimitrova Manchorova after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance recombinant human erythropoetin (rhEPO).
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered by the Bulgarian Rowing Federation.

Without a hearing the FISA Doping Hearing Panel rules on the basis of the written submissions of the Athlete and the Bulgarian Rowing Federation.
The Bulgarian Rowing Federation submitted, on behalf of the Athlete, that the prior to the doping test the Athlete was hospitalised for five day due to heavy drinking resulting in bleedings. In the hospital rhEPO was administered to the Athlete. The Federation indicated that the Athlete has now been retired from competition.

The FISA Doping Hearing Panel is faced with very little evidence consisting only of the hospital report, the explanation given in writing by the federation and the expert medical opinion acquired by FISA. It is not in a strong position to look deeply into the facts, particularly; the reasons behind the hospitalisation and the injury / illness the athlete was suffering; the treatment the athlete received including the administration of rhEPO and the relevance of that treatment; and, the circumstances in which the athlete did not mention the hospitalisation or the medication administered on the form at the time of undergoing the test.

The Panel concludes that the Athlete acted negligently because she failed to research which medication was administered in the hospital and without mentioning the hospitalisation and administered medication on the doping control form. Therefore the FISA Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension.

The International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Tomasz Mrozowicz after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone, metabolite of nandrolone.

The Polish Rowing Association notified the Athlete and a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and reported he was not possible for him to appear for the FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel. The Athlete stated he did not knowingly take prohibited substance and he could not provide an explanation how the substance came into his body.

Due to the Athlete failed to explain how the prohibited substance came to be in his bode the FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 2 September 2004.

Facts
The French Cycling Federation (French Fédération Française de Cyclisme, FFC) charges respondent M57 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a cycle-cross race on November 18, 2012, a sample was taken for a doping test. The sample showed the presence of nikethamide and it's metabolite N-ethylnicotinamide and betamethasone which are prohibited substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. Betamethanose is regarded as a specified substance.

History
The respondent had used medication to treat pain in his tibia, but he has no medical certificate for this. This medication is the cause of the positive test.

Decision
1. The sanction is a period of 6 months of ineligibility in which the athlete can't take part in competition or manifestations organized by the FFC.
2. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period allready served in voluntary suspension.
3. The present decision starts on the date of notification.
4. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

Related case:
FISA 2005 FISA vs Olena Olefirenko
February 9, 2005

In August 2004 dr. Ganna Gryhchenko was the team doctor of the Athlete Olena Olefirenko who competed in the Women’s quadruple sculls event during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Ms. Olena Olefirenko after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance etamivan.

The Ukraine Delegation declared, in absence of the Athlete, to the IOC Disciplinary Commission that the Athlete took the medication, listed on the Doping Control Official Record. The medication were prescribed by the team doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko.
The Disciplinary Commission noted that, on the Doping Control Official Record filled out by the athlete at the time of the collection, one of the medications declared by the athlete, Instenon, contains the prohibited substance Etamivan, found in her urine.
The Disciplinary Commission unanimously concluded that the Athlete had committed a doping offence in that there was etamivan in the Athlete’s urine. The Athlete had no possibility of knowing that she was taking a prohibited substance and that she had no reason not to trust her doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko.

On 26 August 2004, based on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Commission, the IOC Executive Board decided:
1.) that, due to the adverse analytical finding in the urine of the Athlete Ms. Olena Olefirenko and the Ukraine team (women’s quadruple sculls in final A) be disqualified from the Women’s quadruple sculls event, in which they had placed third;
2.) that all bronze medals and diplomas be withdrawn from the above-noted athletes;
3.) that the International Rowing Federation be requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence;
4.) the Ukraine Olympic Committee be ordered to return to the IOC, as soon as possible, the medals and diplomas awarded to the athletes in relation to the above-noted event;
5.) that the International Rowing Federation consider possible action against the Athlete’s team doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko;
6.) that the Ukraine Olympic Committee consider possible action against the team doctor;
7.) that the IOC reserves the right to open a new procedure in front of the IOC with respect to any participation of the team doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko in the 2006 or 2008 Olympic Games; and
8.) this decision shall enter into force immediately.

Hereafter in November 2004 the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) notified the Athlete, the team doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, of a FISA hearing about this doping case. The team doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko did not file a statement in her defence and failed to appear for the FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.

The Athlete Ms. Olena Olefirenko claimed that she did not take any other substance than those listed in the doping form that she had completed. The analytical finding of the lab is compatible with this statement and confirmed the intake of etamivan, a stimulant. She insisted that she only took the medication given to her by the team doctor Ms. Ganna Gryhchenko, without any consideration that it could be prohibited.
The FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel concludes that the Athlete had no intention to enhance her sport performance and that she followed the advice of her team doctor in order to treat her medical condition.

The Panel finds that the team doctor is expected to know the IOC Anti-Doping Rules and the list of prohibited substances. In spite of this, Dr. Ganna Gryhchenko provided to the athlete Ms. Olena Olefirenko the medication Instenon, which contained the prohibited substance etamivan, resulting in disqualification of the Athlete and her crew and the loss of an Olympic medal.
The Hearing Panel rules that Doctor Ganna Gryhchenko had probably no intention to violate any anti-doping rules. Her negligence in this case is significant and it had disastrous consequences for the Athletes. Therefore the FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on Dr. Ganna Gryhchenko, starting from the date of the sample collection, i.e. 22 August 2004.

Related case:
FISA 2005 FISA vs Ganna Gryhchenko
February 9, 2005

In August 2004 the Athlete Olena Olefirenko competed in the Women’s quadruple sculls event during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance etamivan.
The Ukraine Delegation declared, in absence of the Athlete, to the IOC Disciplinary Commission that the Athlete took the medication, listed on the Doping Control Official Record. The medication were prescribed by the Athlete’s team doctor.
The Disciplinary Commission noted that, on the Doping Control Official Record filled out by the athlete at the time of the collection, one of the medications declared by the athlete, Instenon, contains the prohibited substance etamivan, found in her urine.
The Disciplinary Commission unanimously concluded that the Athlete had committed a doping offence in that there was etamivan in the Athlete’s urine. The Athlete had no possibility of knowing that she was taking a prohibited substance and that she had no reason not to trust her doctor.

On 26 August 2004, based on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Commission, the IOC Executive Board decided:
1.) that, due to the adverse analytical finding in the urine of the Athlete Ms. Olena Olefirenko and the Ukraine team (women’s quadruple sculls in final A) be disqualified from the Women’s quadruple sculls event, in which they had placed third;
2.) that all bronze medals and diplomas be withdrawn from the above-noted athletes;
3.) that the International Rowing Federation be requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence;
4.) the Ukraine Olympic Committee be ordered to return to the IOC, as soon as possible, the medals and diplomas awarded to the athletes in relation to the above-noted event;
5.) that the International Rowing Federation consider possible action against the Athlete’s team doctor;
6.) that the Ukraine Olympic Committee consider possible action against the team doctor;
7.) that the IOC reserves the right to open a new procedure in front of the IOC with respect to any participation of the team doctor in the 2006 or 2008 Olympic Games; and
8.) this decision shall enter into force immediately.

Hereafter in November 2004 the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) notified the Athlete, her team doctor and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, of a FISA hearing about this doping case.
The athlete claimed that she did not take any other substance than those listed in the doping form that she had completed. The analytical finding of the lab is compatible with this statement and confirmed the intake of etamivan, a stimulant. She insisted that she only took the medication given to her by the team doctor, without any consideration that it could be prohibited.

The FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel concludes that the Athlete had no intention to enhance her sport performance and that she followed the advice of her team doctor in order to treat her medical condition. The FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides:
1.) The Athlete Ms. Olena Olefirenko committed a doping violation in that there was etamivan in her urine sample of 22 August 2004.
2.) The Athlete has established that in this violation, she was not at fault and was not negligent in her behaviour.
3.) Therefore the period of ineligibility which would otherwise be the sanction for such a doping violation is eliminated and further, the violation shall not be considered a violation for the limited purpose of determining the period of ineligibility for multiple violations.
4.) This award is rendered without costs.