In February 2016 the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Russian Athlete after his sample (provided on 9 January 2016) tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium. After notification a provisional suspension was ordere. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the FIVB Disciplinary Panel.

The Athlete admitted that he had used prescribed meldonum for his heart condition until 13 December 2015 without intention to enhance his sport performance. He argued that the substance was still in his system in January 2016 and that he had no fault or negligence in this case considering the low concentration found in his sample (300 ng/mL) and in accordance with the criteria in the WADA Notice to issue a No Fault or Negligence in samples taken before 1 March 2016.

Considering the statements and the WADA Notice the Panel accepts that there is no other evidence suggesting that the Athlete had used Meldonium after 1 January 2016.

Therefore the FIVB Disciplinary Panel decides on 28 April 2016:

1.) The athlete Mr. Alexander Markin (Russia) has committed an anti-doping rule violation (presence of the prohibited substance “S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators (Meldonium))” according to Article 2.1 of the FIVB MADR.
2.) No period of ineligibility shall be imposed on the athlete Mr. Alexander Markin due to the determination that he had No Fault or Negligence pursuant to Article 10.4 FIVB MADR.
3.) The Russian national team’s results from the 2016 European Olympic Qualification competition stand.
4.) This decision may be appealed in accordance with the attached Notice of Appeals.

Fluorescence Chemosensing of Meldonium Using a Cross-Reactive Sensor Array / Ergin Yalcin, Cem Erkmen, Tugba Taskin-Tok, Mehmet Gokhan Caglayan. - (Analyst (2020) 30 March).

• PMID: 32226998.
• DOI: 10.1039/d0an00209g

Abstract

In this paper, we report a fluorescent sensor array approach for the urinary detection of a prohibited substance in sports, meldonium. Four chemosensors with ethidium bromide scaffolds were employed in this method. The interaction between meldonium and chemosensors was investigated by different techniques, such as ultraviolet-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. Molecular dynamics simulation was also used to elucidate and support the interaction mechanisms between meldonium and the chemosensors. Differential responses obtained from the sensor array enabled the qualitative and quantitative analyses of meldonium with low error values. This method was able to detect and quantify meldonium at the nM level, fulfilling the requirements of minimum performance defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In October 2018 the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency (GADA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the cyclist David Ashurava after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Meldonium, Metandienone, Stanozolol.

After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency and Eastern Europe Anti-Doping Organization.

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substances and believed that the supplement he had purchased on the internet was the source of the prohibited substances.

The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that the committed an anti-doping rule violation. Further the Panel considers that the Athlete failed to provide evidence that the alleged supplement was the source of the positive test.

Therefore the Panel decides on 22 April 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 18 October 2018.

Εθνικός Οργανισμός Καταπολέμησης του Ντόπινγκ (EOKAN) Ετήσέιακθεσ 2021 / Hellenic Anti-Doping Agency (HADA). - Maroussi, 2023

Croatian Institute for Toxicology and Anti-Doping annual report 2016 / Croatian Institute for Toxicology and Anti-Doping (CITA). - Zagreb : Hrvatski zavod za toksikologiju i antidoping (Antidoping HZTA), 2017

Contents:

• Implementation and improvement of the legislation
• Doping controls, investigations and results managment
• Doping prevention
• International cooperation
• Therapeutic Use Exemptions
• Medicine and science
• Facilities and equipment maintenance

In February 2016 the International Biathlon Union (IBU) has reported anti-doping rule violation against the Ukrainian Athlete after his sample - provided on 23 January 2016 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the IBU Anti-Doping Hearing Panel (ADHP).

The Athlete accepted the test results and explained that he had used Mildronate (Meldonium) without prescription for his heart problems in October en November 2015 and not in 2016 after the substance was included on the WADA 2016 Prohibited List.

The IBU has serious doubt about the alleged medical justification for the use of Meldonium by the Athlete and requested the ADHP to impose a sanction of 4 years. The IBU tend to acknowledge exceptional circumstances due to Meldonium was newly introduced to the Prohibited List, that the excretion from the body took longer than the information mentioned on the medication leaflet and that the Athlete believed to have acted in accordance with the Rules.

On 4 April 2016 the proceedings were suspended until an expert opinion was rendered which should also take into account an announced WADA study while the provisional suspension was lifted on 18 April 2016. Also in April and June 2016 WADA issued two notices on Meldonium concerning cases where athletes claim that the substance was used before 1 January 2016.

The ADHP concludes that the presence of the prohibited substance in the Athlete’s sample establish that he committed an anti-doping rule violation under the Rules in conjuction with the 2016 Prohibited List. The ADHP considers that the time of the administration of Meldonium - whether before or on or after 1 January 2016 - is irrelevant in this respect. The time of the administration may, however, have an impact on the determination of the sanction and the ADHP considers in this respect the WADA Meldonium Notice issued in June 2016. The Panel accepts that exceptional circumstances were present and that there is no evidence that he used Meldonium on or after 1 January 2016 for establishing No Fault.

Therefore ADHP decides on 7 September 2016 that the Athlete has committed an anti-doping rule violation. Because the Athlete bears No Fault no period of ineligibility is imposed. The Athlete’s competitive results obtained between 23 January and 16 February 2016 are disqualified.

In March 2016 the International Biathlon Union (IBU) has reported anti-doping rule violation against the Russian Athlete Eduard Latypov after his sample - provided on 14 February 2016 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and waived his right to be heard for the IBU Anti-Doping Hearing Panel (ADHP).

The Athlete accepted the test results and explained that he had used Mildronate (Meldonium) prescribed by a therapist in October and November 2015. He stopped using his medication in November 2015 because the substance would be included on the WADA 2016 Prohibited List. He argued that the concentration Meldonium found in his sample was far below the WADA threshold.

On 2 May 2016 the proceedings were suspended in order to take into account an announced WADA study while the provisional suspension was lifted. Also in April and June 2016 WADA issued two notices on Meldonium concerning cases where athletes claim that the substance was used before 1 January 2016. Considering these WADA Notices the IBU contended that the Athlete has committed an anti-doping rule violation and because of No Fault that no period of ineligiblility shall be imposed.

The ADHP concludes that the presence of the prohibited substance in the Athlete’s sample establish that he committed an anti-doping rule violation under the Rules in conjuction with the 2016 Prohibited List. The ADHP considers that the time of the administration of Meldonium - whether before or on or after 1 January 2016 - is irrelevant in this respect. The time of the administration may, however, have an impact on the determination of the sanction and the ADHP considers in this respect the WADA Meldonium Notice issued in June 2016. The Panel accepts that exceptional circumstances were present and that there is no evidence that he used Meldonium on or after 1 January 2016 for establishing No Fault.

Therefore ADHP decides on 7 September 2016 that the Athlete has committed an anti-doping rule violation. Because the Athlete bears No Fault no period of ineligibility is imposed. The Athlete’s competitive results obtained between 14 February and 8 March 2016 are disqualified.

In March 2016 the International Biathlon Union (IBU) has reported anti-doping rule violation against the Romanian Athlete Eva Tofalvi after her sample - provided on 8 March 2016 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and waived her right to be heard for the IBU Anti-Doping Hearing Panel (ADHP).

The Athlete accepted the test results and submitted that he had used Mildronate (Meldonium) prescripted by her cardiologist Between September and December 2015 and not in 2016 after the substance was included on the WADA 2016 Prohibited List.

In April and June 2016 WADA issued two notices on Meldonium concerning cases where athletes claim that the substance was used before 1 January 2016. Considering these WADA Notices the IBU contended that the Athlete has committed an anti-doping rule violation and because of No Fault that no period of ineligiblility shall be imposed.

The ADHP concludes that the presence of the prohibited substance in the Athlete’s sample establish that she committed an anti-doping rule violation under the Rules in conjuction with the 2016 Prohibited List. The ADHP considers that the time of the administration of Meldonium - whether before or on or after 1 January 2016 - is irrelevant in this respect. The time of the administration may, however, have an impact on the determination of the sanction and the ADHP considers in this respect the WADA Meldonium Notice issued in June 2016. The Panel accepts that exceptional circumstances were present and that there is no evidence that she used Meldonium on or after 1 January 2016 for establishing No Fault.

Therefore ADHP decides on 7 September 2016 that the Athlete has committed an anti-doping rule violation. Because the Athlete bears No Fault no period of ineligibility is imposed. The Athlete’s competitive results obtained between 8 March and 29 March 2016 are disqualified.