In March 2020 Sport Ireland has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Gaelic football player IS-7130 after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium.

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

Therefore Sport Ireland decides on 8 April 2020 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete IS-7130 starting on the date of the sample collection.

In November 2015 the South African Institute for Drugfree Sport (SAIDS) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Mixed Martial Arts Athlete Gary Smit after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone), Drostanolone and Testosterone. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.

The Athlete admitted the violation and denied that he used these substances for enhancing his sport performance. He explained that he underwent treatment for 2 years for a severe shoulder injury and had received prescribed medication and physiotherapy. Because his shoulder didn’t recover he had to consider an operation. He stated that he was desperate and following the recommendations of friends at a gym he purchased the substances and injected these into his shoulder for several weeks.

SAIDS did not accept the Athlete’s explanation and requested the Panel to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility. SAIDS argued that the substances he took did not heal the shoulder injury, there were contradictions in his evidence and his explanation was so improbable that it must be fabricated.

The Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional because he had admitted that he was aware at the time that the substances he used were illegal and prohibited in sport. Also the Panel finds that the Athlete’s testimony is unreliable and his evidence improbable and unreliable.

Therefore the SAIDS Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 17 June 2016 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 17 November 2015.

Annual Report 2016 / Slovak Anti-Doping Agency (SADA). - Bratislava : Antidopingová Agentúra Slovenskej Republiky (ADA SR), 2017

Pharmacological effects of meldonium : Biochemical mechanisms andbiomarkers of cardiometabolic activity / Maija Dambrovaa, Marina Makrecka-Kukaa, Reinis Vilskersts, Elina Makarovaa, Janis Kukaa, Edgars Liepinshaa. - (Pharmacological Research 15 (2016, 2 February) p. 1-10) doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2016.01.019
PMID: 26850121

Abstract

Meldonium (mildronate; 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate; THP; MET-88) is a clinically used cardioprotective drug, which mechanism of action is based on the regulation of energy metabolism pathways through l-carnitine lowering effect. l-Carnitine biosynthesis enzyme γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase and carnitine/organic cation transporter type 2 (OCTN2) are the main known drug targets of meldonium, and through inhibition of these activities meldonium induces adaptive changes in the cellular energy homeostasis. Since l-carnitine is involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, the decline in its levels stimulates glucose metabolism and decreases concentrations of l-carnitine related metabolites, such as long-chain acylcarnitines and trimethylamine-N-oxide. Here, we briefly reviewed the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of meldonium in treatment of heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

Perceptions of legitimacy, attitudes and buy-in among athlete groups : a cross-national qualitative investigation providing practical solutions / April Henning, Paul Dimeo. - University of Stirling, 2018

• Report compiled for the World Anti-Doping Agency Social Science Research Scheme

Abstract

First paragraph: In order to achieve its stated purpose, anti-doping relies on athlete buy-in to its overall goals and methods and their compliance with anti-doping policies. Previous research on athlete behavior focused on ways to induce athletes into compliance. However, the authors of the Sport Drug Control Model hypothesized that athletes views of anti-doping and their resultant behaviors resulted from their first hand experiences with anti-doping (Donovan et al, 2002). These and similar findings supported the hypothesis that the greater the levels of perceived legitimacy of antidoping organizations among athletes, the greater the likelihood athletes would comply with anti-doping policies. A better understanding of which experiences at the policy, agency, and individual levels are viewed positively or negatively can provide a path for improving perceptions of legitimacy among athletes. The purpose of this study is to investigate perceived legitimacy, athletes' attitudes, and buy-in towards anti-doping policies in a selection of national contexts and sports. The overall objective is to provide clear, practical guidance as to how to improve the athlete experience to increase levels of perceived legitimacy of anti-doping organizations and regulations among athletes.

Complete Overview of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods from the IOC Lists (1968-2003) & WADA Prohibited Lists (2004- ) / ed. M.C. Tuk, Olivier de Hon. - Doping Authority Netherlands (Dopingautoriteit); Anti-Doping Knowledge Center (ADKC), 2021

Complete Overview of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods from the IOC Lists (1968-2003) & WADA Prohibited Lists (2004- ) / ed. M.C. Tuk, Olivier de Hon. - Doping Authority Netherlands (Dopingautoriteit); Anti-Doping Knowledge Center (ADKC), 2019

In March 2017 Anti-Doping Norway (ADNO) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the foreign kickboxer after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium.

After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence. Without a hearing the NIF Judging Committee settled the case based on the written submissions of the parties. 

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and requested for a reduced sanction. He asserted that he was only an amateur Athlete and that he had not received anti-doping education, nor support in this matter from the Norwegian Kickboxing Federation.

Initially the he didn’t know how the Meldonium had entered his system. Later he explained that his foreign ex-girlfriend had provided him Mildronate (Meldonium) tablets in January 2017 as treatment for his fever, headache and cold whereas he believed it was a painkiller. 

ADNO did not accept the Athlete’s explanation and contended that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional nor how it entered his system. ADNO established that the Athlete’s Mildronate was produced in October 2016, thus after the Athlete allegedly had used the tablets in January 2016. He didn’t demonstrate the origin of the Mildronate box, neither showed any evidence of purchase of this medication.

Further the Athlete’s girlfriend did not respond to the communications of ADNO and prior he had testified that he had used a high number of medications and supplements. He failed to mention his medication on the Doping Control Form nor was there any evidence that he suffered from a medical condition that needed treatment with Meldonium. 

The NIF Judging Committee finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete’s samples and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. Considering the evidence the Committee rejected the Athlete’s explanation and holds that he failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional, neither No Significant Fault or Negligence. 

Therefore the NIF Juding Committee decides on 16 May 2018 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 13 March 2017.