Commission on preliminary consideration of anti-doping rules violations of RAA RUSADA rendered a decision that made athlete Albul Valeriya (muaythai) ineligible for 2 years for violation under cl. 4.1 and cl. 4.2 of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules, starting on the date of the decision, namely on October 23, 2023, with credit for the served period of provisional suspension, namely from September 07, 2023.
Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, WADA wishes to provide an update regarding the ExCo’s decision to endorse the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) and allege the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) of South Africa as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The alleged non-compliance in this case is a result of South Africa’s legislation not being in line with the 2021 Code.
Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), the NADO had 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, as well as the consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency.
On 10 October, WADA received formal notification from the South African NADO that it disputed the allegation of non-compliance against it, as well as the proposed consequences. Accordingly, and in line with Article 24.1.7 of the Code, WADA now publicly announces that it filed the request for arbitration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 16 November 2023. As set out in Article 24.1.7, certain Signatories have the right to intervene in the CAS proceedings as a party whereas other persons may apply and be permitted to intervene under certain conditions. As per the same article, the notice of intervention or the application to intervene must be filed within 10 days of the publication of this notice.
The allegation of non-compliance and the consequences will not take effect until such time as CAS makes its ruling. Further details regarding the case including, in particular, the consequences and reinstatement conditions can be found in WADA’s update of 28 September 2023.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that Rugby League player Taylor Baddeley received a one-month ban from all sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for the presence of a Prohibited Substance in his urine Sample. At the time of this announcement, the ban has been served and the player is free to resume participation in sport.
On 8 April 2023, UKAD collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Baddeley at a game between Castleford Tigers Academy and Wakefield Trinity Academy. Analysis of Mr Baddeley’s Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for benzoylecgonine, a Metabolite of cocaine.
Cocaine is listed under section S6A of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List as a stimulant. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited In-Competition only. The WADA 2023 Prohibited List also identifies cocaine as a ‘Substance of Abuse’.
The UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), which implement the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code for sports in the UK, set out specific rules on how ADRVs related to Substances of Abuse should be managed. Shorter bans of three months are available for such substances when found In-Competition, if their ingestion takes place Out-of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance. A further reduction in the length of ban, down to one month, is available if an Athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment programme approved by UKAD.
On 19 May 2023, UKAD notified Mr Baddeley that he may have committed ADRVs in violation of the ADR. Mr Baddeley was also provisionally suspended from this date.
On 2 June 2023, Mr Baddeley admitted that he had used cocaine recreationally while in a social setting during the Out-of-Competition period. UKAD instructed a scientific expert to examine whether the concentration of benzoylecgonine detected in Mr Baddeley’s Sample was consistent with the explanation he provided. The scientific expert’s opinion was that cocaine had likely been consumed during the Out-of-Competition period.
UKAD charged Mr Baddeley on 11 July 2023 with the commission of an ADRV under ADR Article 2.1 (presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athletes Sample). On 20 July 2023, Mr Baddeley accepted the charge and the asserted period of Ineligibility of three months. Mr Baddeley provided UKAD with a report following his completion of a Substance of Abuse treatment programme. UKAD reviewed the contents of the report and in accordance with its own policy ‘Substances of Abuse: Policy for determining approved treatment programmes’ granted a reduced period of Ineligibility of one month.
Mr Baddeley has been afforded credit for the time he has spent provisionally suspended (since 19 May 2023). Mr Baddeley’s period of Ineligibility was lifted on 18 August 2023 and he is free to resume participation in sport.
Speaking on the case, UKAD Chief Executive, Jane Rumble said: “Substances of Abuse as defined in the WADA Prohibited List are prohibited in sport because they represent a real health risk to the Athlete, and they violate the spirit of sport. Athletes caught using cocaine and other ‘recreational drugs’ Out-of-Competition may receive a ban from sport and risk jeopardising their playing career.
“The Substance of Abuse treatment programme supports Athletes to recognise the dangers of substance misuse and identify where to turn to for support in the future.”
The Rugby Football League and Rugby League Cares, the sport’s independent charity which leads on player welfare, added:
“Rugby League supports UKAD in its testing programme of players at all levels of the sport, in and out of competition, and in this case specifically the recent introduction of the Substance of Abuse programme following positive tests for recreational drugs – supporting players in recognising the dangers of substance misuse, and explaining the range of options for ongoing support – which in Rugby League is led by RL Cares.”
The World Anti-Doping Agency is pleased to publish new Guidelines for Human Source Management (Guidelines), which will serve as a model of best practice for the management of Human Sources by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs).
The use of a Human Source, a term that includes informants and whistleblowers, is a legitimate and important investigative tool in the fight against doping and has been an integral part of the prosecution of many Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) cases. The management of Human Sources must be of the highest ethical and professional standard to ensure the protection of their identity and the confidentiality of the information they provide.
To that end, WADA Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) has produced these Guidelines to support ADOs in the development and management of Human Source programs. The Guidelines, which feature fundamental principles and best practices, are part of WADA’s ongoing work to better educate ADOs on important investigative methodologies and practices in this important area.
Damien Larin, Head of WADA’s Confidential Information Unit, stressed the importance of implementing proper Source Management principals, stating that “managing confidential Human Sources is not an activity that should be taken lightly. WADA and the anti-doping community have a responsibility to ensure that Human Sources who help support investigations are protected and that their information is safeguarded. The best way to ensure this is by developing a Human Source program built on the fundamentals of documentation, oversight, direction, and risk management. The Guidelines provide practical guidance on how to accomplish this, but also set a standard for ADOs that are currently working with Human Sources. We’re very encouraged that this important area continues to grow, and WADA I&I is invested in ensuring that it is done the right way.”
The National Center for Sports Arbitration rendered a decision against Makshantsev Oleg (bodybuilding) for violation under cl. 4.5 and cl. 4.9 of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules.
The National Center for Sports Arbitration set aside the decision of RAA RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee No. 67/2022 dated October 14, 2021, and rendered a decision that made Makshantsev Oleg ineligible for a period of 4 years for violation under cl. 4.5 of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules, with credit for the served period of ineligibility from October 14, 2021.
FIFA representatives attend meeting of Council of Europe’s Monitoring Group of Anti-Doping Convention (T-DO)
FIFA outlined scaled-up efforts to keep football clean and fair
Importance of education at youth level to influence future generations of players also highlighted
FIFA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fair play and the integrity of football as a member of the Council of Europe’s Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention (T-DO) at the body’s latest gathering in Strasbourg, France.
Delegates at the two-day meeting heard from Alexis Weber, FIFA’s Head of Anti-Doping, and Annaliza Tsakona, FIFA’s Senior International Relations & Public Affairs Manager, about how FIFA has stepped up its efforts to ensure that its competitions remain fair.
“FIFA would like to reiterate its commitment to continuing our close collaboration with the Council of Europe – under the memorandum of understanding signed in 2018 – as well as with governments and political institutions around the globe,” Ms Tsakona told attendees, consisting of representatives of the Council of Europe and Council of Europe member states, parties to the Anti-Doping Convention and observers from international sports federations.
“It is through collaborative efforts that we can effectively address challenges jeopardising the principles of fair play, integrity and clean competition. Such cooperation has the potential to catalyse positive societal change, extending its impact beyond the sporting arena,” Ms Tsakona added.
FIFA's representatives outlined the organisation's anti-doping operations at the FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar late last year. The T-DO, which plays an important role in coordinating the implementation and harmonisation of anti-doping programmes across EU member states, also heard about the enhanced anti-doping policy put in place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™. As the centrepiece of the most comprehensive measures ever implemented at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™, 30% more tests were conducted than at the previous edition in France in 2019.
FIFA is also taking an active role in trying to ensure that anti-doping is a part of a player’s mindset long before they reach elite level. After Ms Tsakona had stressed the importance of education and whistle-blowing, FIFA’s anti-doping e-learning platform was then presented. It is tailored to three distinct target groups: youth players, professional players and player support staff.
The T-DO was then given an overview of the robust anti-doping programme that has been put in place for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™ in Indonesia with the aim of instilling ethical values and the concept of fair competition in players from an early age.
Sport Integrity Australia today acknowledged the decision of Football Australia to impose a ban of two-years and nine-months on athlete Damian Tsekenis for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances.
Mr Tsekenis, who played for the Central Coast Mariners, returned Adverse Analytical Findings from an out-of-competition doping control test on 23 March 2022.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Prohibited Substances Ostarine and its metabolite Hydroxy-ostarine, and Ibutamoren.
It was determined that on and/or before 23 March 2022 Mr Tsekenis used Prohibited Substances, namely Ostarine and Ibutamoren.
In addition, it was also determined:
Mr Tsekenis is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 December 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
Ostarine, LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and RAD140 are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and are prohibited at all times under the S1 Anabolic Agent category of the WADA Prohibited List.
SARMs are promoted as selective non-steroidal anabolic agents. They are claimed to be substances that induce muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use. However, the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials.
It should be noted that a number of SARMs have associated health-risks, particularly for the heart and liver.
Sport Integrity Australia is committed to protecting the right of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the Sport Integrity Australia website or call us on 1300 027 232.
Sport Integrity Australia recommends you check all of your substances before you take them on the Sport Integrity app. For more information visit: Sport Integrity Australia website.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Italian tennis player Stefano Battaglino has been suspended from the sport for a period of four years by an independent tribunal following breaches of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
On 14 September 2022 at an M15 tournament in Morocco, 25-year-old Battaglino provided an in-competition urine sample, which was found to contain metabolites of clostebol. Clostebol – an anabolic androgenic steroid - is prohibited at all times under Section S1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. As a non-specified substance, an adverse analytical finding for clostebol carries a mandatory provisional suspension. As such, Battaglino has been provisionally suspended since February 2023.
Battaglino, who has a career-high ATP singles ranking of 760, requested a hearing before an independent tribunal convened by Sport Resolutions. The hearing was held remotely in October 2023. The player argued that his violation was unintentional and that his sanction should be further reduced on grounds of no fault or negligence or no significant fault or negligence.
The independent tribunal determined that Battaglino did not prove the source of the clostebol and therefore found that the anti-doping rule violations were intentional. As such, the player was not eligible for any reductions below the presumptive four-year sanction.
Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against the player’s period of ineligibility. Battaglino’s period of ineligibility therefore runs from 1 February 2023 until midnight of 31 January 2027. The player’s results from the date of the positive test are also to be disqualified, with forfeiture of ranking points and prize money.
During the sanction period, the player is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open) or any national association.
The ITIA is an independent body established by its members to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that David Mylnikov, a shooting athlete, received a three-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete’s urine sample, collected during an in-competition sample collection session on June 9, 2023, revealed the presence of cannabis, a prohibited cannabinoid.
The presence of cannabis, classified as both a specified substance and a substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency 2023 Prohibited List, is considered an adverse analytical finding when the urinary concentration exceeds 150 ng/mL. The CCES assessed the relevant provisions of Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) Rule 10.2.4.1 and proposed a three-month period of ineligibility for this violation, as the CCES was satisfied that the cannabis was used out of competition and unrelated to sport.
In response to the CCES’s notification of the adverse analytical finding, the athlete waived their right to a hearing and accepted the proposed sanction and all other consequences. The sanction terminates on January 10, 2024.
During the sanction period, the athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the CADP, including training with teammates.
In compliance with rule 8.4 of the CADP, the CCES’s file outcome summary can be found in the Canadian Sport Sanction Registry.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) was pleased to collaborate with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to host an Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (ADIIN) Expert Group session in Monaco last week.
The seventh annual session, which ran from 25-26 October, welcomed around 25 participants from WADA Intelligence & Investigations (I&I), National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), International Federations and the International Testing Agency to discuss ongoing investigations and share their respective experiences.
WADA Director, Intelligence and Investigations, Gunter Younger, said: “This week’s session in Monaco was an excellent opportunity for intelligence and investigations practitioners to get together and share experiences and reflect on how to further strengthen the anti-doping process from an intelligence and investigations perspective. We are very grateful to our colleagues from the Athletics Integrity Unit for hosting the event and for their strong commitment to this important area. Through collaboration like this we are improving the overall system for athletes and clean sport around the world.”
Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit, Brett Clothier, said: “The AIU has been a central member of the ADIIN group since our inception, so it was a pleasure to welcome its members to Monaco for the annual in-person meeting. Investigations and intelligence are at the heart of good anti-doping work and ADIIN is therefore an expert group with an important role. The last two days have furthered the consideration of I&I’s role in the future of anti-doping.”
In particular during this interactive session, the members examined two key provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), namely Article 10.7.1 (Substantial Assistance) and Article 10.8.1 (Early Admission and Acceptance of Sanction) and discussed how they could better reflect the operational needs and constraints of I&I practitioners. To complement these discussions on I&I challenges and opportunities, the group also heard from General Counsel, United States AntiDoping Agency, Jeff Cook, who offered insight into how the Code and the International Standard for Results Management intersected with criminal prosecutions.
The outcomes of the meeting will be reviewed by the ADIIN steering committee and shared with the relevant drafting teams for the 2027 Code and International Standards Update Process, which got underway last month.
About the Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network
In 2017, to further harmonize and strengthen the investigation of doping in sport worldwide, WADA I&I started building ADIIN to serve as a global resource to assist Anti-Doping Organizations in conducting investigations, and to identify and promote best-practice investigative standards.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a human anti-doping case.
This case involves an adverse analytical finding for Hydrochlorothiazide and its metabolite, Chloraminophenamide, which are included in the category of class “S5 - Diuretics and Masking Agents” according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
A sample taken from the Argentinian athlete Fabian Sejanes (FEI ID 10001261) on 11 August 2022, during the FEI World Championships held in Herning, Denmark, from 5-14 August 2022, returned positive for the Prohibited Substance mentioned above. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 11 October 2022.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of 18-months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (27 October 2023). Additionally, the athlete was disqualified from all results obtained at the event as well as all other competitive results obtained by the athlete from the date of his sample collection were disqualified. Finally, the athlete was fined CHF 3,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,500.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.
The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently released the 2024 Prohibited List (the List), which details the substances and methods that are banned within sport. Broken down into several categories, the List identifies which substances and methods are prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and within specific sports.
Following an extensive consultation period by WADA, the 2024 List was published on 27 September 2023. This gives athletes and their support personnel sufficient time to make themselves aware of the changes, review any medications they use, and apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required before the updated List comes into effect on 01 January 2024.
The below sections summarise the major changes to the List for 2024. Please consult the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes document for the full list of modifications.
Tramadol
Tramadol will be prohibited in-competition under Section 7 Narcotics.
UKAD will shortly be releasing a position statement for athletes and doctors on how to comply with the new tramadol regulations. This document will include the timeframes for when an athlete should submit a TUE for the use of tramadol, the factors to consider when making such an application, and scenarios whereby a TUE is unlikely to be granted.
Removal of plasmapheresis as a prohibited method
The donation of plasma or plasma components by plasmapheresis will no longer be prohibited when performed in a registered collection centre.
Tramazoline
Tramazoline has been added to Section 6 Stimulants as an example of an imidazoline derivative which is permitted when administered by dermatological, nasal, ophthalmic, or otic routes. It is prohibited by any other route of administration.
Additional Examples
Several new examples of prohibited substances have been added to various categories of the List. Please note that these are not new substances being added to the 2024 List for the first time but are additional examples of substances that are already prohibited.
Monitoring Program
WADA has also published the 2024 Monitoring Program which lists substances (not on the Prohibited List) that are currently being monitored for potential misuse by WADA.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has published the full decision of the independent tribunal in the case of Jenson Brooksby.
This outlines the process and details of the hearing held on 10 October 2023. The document has been redacted where necessary to protect personal and third party details. The independent tribunal’s final decision includes:
Appeals of the decision under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme are made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and all details and timings will be decided by CAS.
To access the full decision, click here
THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) REPORTS THAT EGYPTIAN SQUASH ATHLETE MOUSTAFA ELSIRTY HAS ACCEPTED A 6-MONTH PERIOD OF INELIGIBILITY AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR A PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE.
The ITA confirms that a sample collected in-competition from Moustafa Elsirty on 10 November 2022 at the 2022 FISU World University Championship Squash returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the prohibited substance terbutaline.
Terbutaline is classified as a beta-2 agonist on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) prohibited list. It is banned for athletes at all times, during and between competitions.
The case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences pursuant to Article 8.3.1. of the World Squash Federation’s anti-doping rules. The athlete accepted a sanction of a 6-month period of ineligibility from 10 March 2023 until 9 October 2023. The athlete’s individual results from 10 November 2022, including the 2022 FISU World University Championship Squash, until 10 March 2023 have also been disqualified.
The prosecution of the matter was handled by the ITA on behalf of the World Squash Federation.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered the appeal filed by the Romanian tennis player, Ms Simona Halep (the Athlete), against the decision rendered by the International Tennis Integrity Agency Tribunal dated 22 September 2023 (the Challenged Decision), in which she was found to have committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations and sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility commencing on 7 October 2022, and the disqualification of all results obtained in competitions taking place in the period 29 August 2022 to 7 October 2022, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, ranking points and prize money.
In her appeal to the CAS, the Athlete requests that the Challenged Decision be set aside and that her sanction be reduced.
The CAS arbitration proceedings have commenced. In accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the CAS Code), the arbitration rules governing CAS procedures, the parties are exchanging written submissions and the Panel of arbitrators that will decide the matter is being constituted.
Once constituted, the Panel will issue procedural directions for the next phase of the procedure, including the holding of a hearing. Following the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and issue an Arbitral Award containing its decision and the grounds for it. At this time, it is not possible to indicate a time frame for the issuance of the decision.
The CAS Panel’s decision will be final and binding, with the exception of the parties’ right to file an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited grounds.
Every year Sport Integrity Australia revises its Anti-Doping Education Plan in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code International Standard of Education. The plan details our goals, objectives, resources, target audiences, interventions, and key activities for anti-doping education for each financial year. It helps us ensure Australian athletes and sports personnel are getting the best education possible in this space.
The 2022-2023 financial year saw us deliver education across five key target areas:
Sport Integrity Australia Director of Education Alexis Cooper says tracking our education across all elements of sport integrity is important to ensuring we’re staying ahead of the game when it comes to keeping sport safe, fair and healthy for everyone.
“We’ve achieved some great reach this year through our education deliverables, but as with anything, there is always an opportunity for improvement,” she says when reviewing the results.
“More than 140 education sessions were delivered to over 5,400 people and while we’d have liked to have done a little bit more, this figure is still a 70% increase on 2021-22 and brings our program back in line with pre-COVID levels. Feedback from these sessions indicated that over 99% of attendees felt they had a better understanding of the anti-doping rules following their attendance, and our presenters received an average rating of 9.3 out of 10.”
Working with sports on their education is an essential part of ensuring maximum reach for best results.
“In regard to education plans within NSOs we now have 91 Anti-Doping Education Plans in place which is the greatest number of education plans endorsed by sport since they were first developed. We’d like 100% compliance in 2023-24 and will continue to work towards that result.”
Finding new and innovative ways to deliver education to ensure all learning styles are catered for is a particular focus each year.
“Our Decision Making in Sport Virtual Reality sessions continue to grow within schools and pathways sports, and our Managing Integrity in Sport course in conjunction with Victoria University reached another 60 sport administrators last financial year. The 2023 Annual Update online course has been completed by 19,282 people and our Health Effects app was updated to ensure greater athlete reach.”
Ms Cooper says growing our education through partnerships, collaborations, new technologies and additional resources will continue to be a focus for the coming 12 months.
“Safety in sport does not stop at the border, so both national and international approaches are key if we want to remain at the forefront of sport integrity,” she says. “Continuing our active involvement in the WADA Global Learning and Development Framework for Education, and our close working relationships with our international counterparts helps to enhance the education we offer both in Australia and globally.”
Further deliverables will be included in the Sport Integrity Australia education plan for 2023-24 to ensure continual improvement for maximum reach and best results.
To find out more about the education we offer, head to the Education page of our website.
While education is an essential part of our commitment to clean, far sport, we don’t limit our education to anti-doping. In addition to the improper use of medicines and the dangers of substances and supplements, our education extends to all areas of our remit including safeguarding, member protection, competition manipulation and match-fixing.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to share its plan to promote clean sport during the 2023 Pan American (Panam) and Parapan American (Parapan Am) Games in Santiago, Chile.
WADA will have its Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer (IO) teams on site for the Panam Games, which will run from 20 October until 5 November. The Athlete Engagement team will then stay through the Parapan Games, which will take place between 17-26 November. Together, both events will feature more than 8,000 athletes from 41 countries, which will compete across 39 sports in the Panam Games and 17 in the Parapan Games.
WADA’s IO program is designed to enhance athlete and public confidence as to the quality, effectiveness, and reliability of anti-doping programs during major international multisport events. WADA’s Athlete Engagement initiatives are in place to raise awareness about doping-free sport among athletes and their support personnel while also promoting clean sport.
WADA President, Witold Bańka, said: “We look forward to running our Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer programs in Santiago. The Independent Observer team will collaborate with our partners on the ground to help strengthen the anti-doping program during the Panam Games. Meanwhile, our Athlete Engagement team will have the important task of engaging with athletes at both the Panam and Parapan Am Games, and their entourages, on a variety of anti-doping topics. These Games represent an important opportunity for WADA to continue to champion its global collaborative mission for doping-free sport in South America and raise the game for athletes around the world.”
Independent Observer (IO) Program
WADA will be running an IO program during the Panam Games in Santiago 2023. The anti-doping program will be operated by Panam Sports in conjunction with the local organizing committee. WADA’s IO team will collaborate with the various organizations to help strengthen the program.
Providing daily feedback to the organizers, the IO team will observe all aspects of the Games’ anti-doping program, including:
Test distribution planning and implementation;
Recruitment and training of sample collection personnel;
Athlete selection, notification and sample collection procedures;
Transport and chain of custody of samples;
Therapeutic Use Exemption procedures; and
Results management.
Following the Panam Games, the IO team will issue a report that will formalize observations and recommendations designed to enhance anti-doping activities for future events.
The IO team consists of:
Juan Lauria (Argentina), Manager, WADA Latin America Office (Chair);
Federico Perroni (Uruguay) Manager, WADA Latin America Office;
Maria Fernanda Carraca de Alcantara Frias (Brazil), Testing Manager, Autoridade Brasileira de Controle de Dopagem (ABCD); and
Clare Egan (USA), WADA Athlete Council member, International Biathlon Union Athlete Commission Chair and two-time Olympic biathlete.
In keeping with the ‘Be Athlete Centered’ priority of WADA’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, the Agency is ensuring that athletes are involved in all aspects of anti-doping, including being part of its IO teams. As noted above, WADA Athlete Council member Clare Egan will be on hand as part of the team to provide an athlete’s perspective throughout the monitoring process.
Clare Egan said: “I am pleased to be joining the Independent Observer team for the 2023 Pan American Games. Having members of WADA’s Athlete Council on IO teams at major events provides opportunities for the Council to assess all aspects of the anti-doping process and eventually provide feedback regarding what we can do to make this part of an athlete’s career a positive experience. It is very important to me that a robust anti-doping program is implemented while still respecting athletes’ rights."
Athlete Engagement
WADA will have an Athlete Engagement team present at both the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games to deliver the ‘One Play True Team’ campaign while raising awareness and promoting clean sport. The team will run the program jointly with the Chilean NADO. The Program also includes a legacy aspect thanks to the banners and promotional resources that will be left behind for the Chilean NADO to use for their own engagement and outreach activities at future events.
The athlete-led team includes:
Paola Mautino (Perú), two-time Pan American Games participant, nine-time national long jump champion and sprinter;
Macarena Mondaca (Chile), Manager, Education and Awareness, Chile NADO;
Gabriela Traña (Costa Rica), two-time Pan American Games participant, two-time Olympic long-distance runner and Costa Rican flag bearer at the 2012 London Games;
Stacy Spletzer-Jegen (USA), WADA Senior Manager, Athlete Engagement; and
Edna Serra (Uruguay), Office Manager, WADA Latin America Office.
As part of a circulatory vote that ended yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Executive Committee (ExCo) approved a revised recommendation of the Agency’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to add the Bermuda National Anti-Doping Organization (Bermuda NADO) to WADA’s compliance ‘watchlist’1.
On 22 September 2023, the ExCo followed the CRC’s recommendation to allege the Bermuda NADO as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) due to a failure to appropriately implement the Code into their legislation.
In the days following the ExCo, the Bermuda NADO provided draft amendments to the legislation that WADA confirmed were in line with the Code, as well as a clear calendar for adoption of those amendments within four months. On this basis, the CRC has updated its recommendation for inclusion on the ‘watchlist’. As per the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), by adding the Bermuda NADO to the ‘watchlist’, the ExCo has given it four months to execute its corrective action plans. If by 12 February 2024 the non-conformities have not been corrected to the satisfaction of the CRC, the Bermuda NADO will be alleged as non-compliant without the need for a further decision by the ExCo.
The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with their obligations under the Code. The CRC Chair, Mr. Henry Gourdji, will report to the next meetings of the ExCo and Foundation Board that will be held on 16 and 17 November 2023.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from kabbadi athlete Adil Hussain from Pakistan has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for 19-norandrosterone, a non-specified Prohibited Substance, according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 4 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022
“We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the USADA testing pool as of Sunday, October 8, 2023. We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months. The rules also allow USADA to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results.
Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of January 1, 2024, USADA will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program. Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, October 9, that it was going in a different direction.
We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon. The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.
The relationship between USADA and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months. One UFC commentator echoed this, recently declaring that USADA should not oversee the UFC program since we held firm to the six-month rule involving McGregor, and since we do not allow fighters without an approved medical basis to use performance-enhancing drugs like experimental, unapproved peptides or testosterone for healing or injuries simply to get back in the Octagon.
Fighters’ long-term health and safety — in addition to a fair and level playing field — are more important to USADA than short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes. USADA is proud of the work we’ve done over the past eight years to clean up the UFC, and we will continue to provide our unparalleled service to UFC athletes through the remainder of our current contract, which ends December 31, 2023. As always, we will continue to uphold the rights and voices of clean athletes in all sport.”
Today’s announcement regarding the six-year sanction of Divine Oduduru under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA) is another example of how the act is driving accountability in sport by exposing networks of conspirators working against clean athletes.
“Justice is once again being served in international sport thanks to the scope of RADA and the commitment of principled organizations like the Athletics Integrity Unit to seek the truth,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We are honored to support all clean athletes through the act, and this is another win for those who value fair sport.”
A panel of independent arbitrators determined that Oduduru committed anti-doping rule violations that warranted a four-year suspension and concluded that another two years were appropriate for aggravating circumstances due to the athlete’s attempted use of multiple prohibited substances ahead of World Athletics’ competitions and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The case arose out of the criminal investigation into Eric Lira, who was the first person to plead guilty under RADA for providing prohibited substances to Olympic athletes, including Oduduru, ahead of the Tokyo Games. Without RADA, Lira, who positioned himself as a doctor to athletes, likely would have escaped consequence for his conspiracy to defraud the Tokyo Games because he did not fall under any sport anti-doping rules.
RADA requires the sharing of information between law enforcement and USADA, and that collaboration has led to numerous cases and anti-doping rule violations, including the decision against Sabina Allen and the decision against Blessing Okagbare that prevented her from defrauding the Tokyo Games. In the case of Oduduru and Okagbare, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) brought the anti-doping cases and worked closely with USADA to successfully investigate and compile evidence. The ongoing collaboration between anti-doping organizations, law enforcement, and other federal agencies will continue to hold those accountable who conspire against the rules to rob clean athletes and defraud sport.
RADA was signed into law following the unprecedented state-sponsored doping fraud perpetrated by the Russian state and sport system on innocent athletes and fans across the globe.
Welsh rugby union player Joshua Hicks has been banned from all sport for a period of four years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of Prohibited Substances.
On 8 October 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Hicks at a game between Pembroke RFC and Penclawdd. Analysis of Mr Hicks’ Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for anastrozole, tamoxifen and drostanolone.
Anastrozole is listed under section S4.1 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Aromatase Inhibitor. It is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
Tamoxifen is listed under section S4.2 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Anti-Estrogenic Substance. It is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
Drostanolone is listed under section S1.1 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
On 16 December 2022, UKAD notified Mr Hicks that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and provisionally suspended him.
Mr Hicks responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 16 December 2022 and admitted taking the Prohibited Substances.
UKAD therefore charged Mr Hicks with ADRVs in relation to all three Prohibited Substances on 03 March 2023. On 21 March 2023, Mr Hicks re-iterated his admissions to taking the Prohibited Substances, but disputed the four-year period of Ineligibility asserted by UKAD.
On 04 April 2023, the matter was referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (‘NADP’). However, on 28 June 2023, Mr Hicks confirmed that he now acceded to the period of Ineligibility of four years, and no longer wished to pursue a hearing before the NADP.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations, said:
“This case makes clear to those participating in rugby union in Wales that UKAD can conduct anti-doping Testing at all levels of WRU competition, and that all participants of the sport are liable for the consequences of their actions should they violate the ADR.
“All rugby players need to understand that taking banned substances will result in lengthy bans from the sports they love, and have trained long and hard to take part in. Rugby is a team sport, we want to protect sport for all, and we will always act to catch those individuals who try and cheat the system. It is never worth the risk.”
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) added, “The WRU promotes Clean Sport, and players at every level of the game, must adhere to the WRU Anti-Doping Rules. It’s vital that players are aware of the risks if they decide to take a prohibited substance for performance-enhancing or recreational reasons. We want players to make good decisions both on and off the field.”
Mr Hicks is banned from all sport for a period of 4 years from 16 December 2022 to 15 December 2026 inclusive.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from Kurash athlete Tejen Tejenov from Turkmenistan, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substances dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone metabolite and methasterone metabolites according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 30 September 2023 during the Kurash Mens +90kg finals. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the World Health Organization (WHO), which will allow experts from both international organizations to collaborate and share information on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect.
The MOU was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by WADA President, Witold Bańka, and Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The agreement will run until 1 October 2027 and provides a framework of cooperation between WADA and WHO to further their goals, specifically with regards to health promotion, the prevention of substance abuse and emerging drugs, and the promotion of clean sport.
Mr. Bańka said: “The memorandum of understanding signed today with the World Health Organization is a watershed moment that will benefit anti-doping efforts worldwide. WADA leads the global collaborative mission for doping-free sport; and, in so doing, we also protect the health of individuals around the world. One of the three criteria for a substance to be added to WADA’s Prohibited List of Substances and Methods is if it represents an actual or potential health risk to athletes. Through our agreement with WHO, experts from both organizations will be able to work collaboratively to exchange information on emerging substances and reinforce scientific positions that will ultimately benefit not only athletes, but society as a whole.
“WHO’s commitment to health and well-being of society at large fits perfectly with our mission. I want to thank Dr. Tedros and his team at WHO for their efforts leading up to this historic agreement and for their commitment to healthy, clean sport around the globe.”
The themes of the MOU include:
Prevention and assessment of health risks associated with psychoactive substance use and related disorders, with a focus on doping compounds and substance use among athletes;
Awareness raising and advocacy for clean sport and substance misuse prevention worldwide;
Raising awareness through education initiatives with the support of goodwill ambassadors and influencers to drive positive change;
Collaboration on sub-standard and falsified medical products, including identification of new emerging psychoactive drugs through sharing of information, mutual support, and engagement with sport federations; and
Reporting on abuse and misuse of falsified and sub-standard medical products in sport.
Dr. Tedros said partnering with WADA reflected WHO’s commitment to work closely with the sport sector to encourage increased physical activity globally in order to promote healthier lives for all.
He said: "Sport and all forms of physical activity are essential to good health, and competitive sport plays a key role in inspiring people to be more active. The use of performance-enhancing substances can harm athletes, and certainly harms sport and those who look up to athletes as role-models. Keeping sport clean, therefore, has benefits beyond the sporting arena for the health and well-being of individuals and societies everywhere."
The MOU also aligns with the organizations’ common objective of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. These goals stem from the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
This formal agreement between WADA and WHO follows an initial meeting between the two organizations which took place in April 2023 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS, Lausanne, Switzerland) partially set aside the decision rendered by the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee of RAA RUSADA № 102/2022 dated June 23, 2022 on the sanction in a form of reprimand to the athlete Guschina Mariya (cross-country skiing) for violation under cl. 2.2 of the All-Russian anti-doping rules approved by Order of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation No. 947 dated August 09, 2016 (with amendments effective from January 17, 2019).
The Court of Arbitration for Sport rendered the decision which made the Athlete ineligible for a period of 12 months from the date of CAS decision, namely October 27, 2023.
World Triathlon can report that a urine sample collected from Russian triathlete Valentina Riasova returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for the prohibited substance 5-Methylhexaneamine. The sample was collected at in-competition testing on 25 September 2021, at the Europe Triathlon Championships Valencia. On 12 September 2022, World Triathlon reached a decision on the case and imposed a ban of six (6) months on Riasova, from 12 September 2022 to 11 March 2023.
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) appealed World Triathlon’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a longer ban. On 15 September 2023, CAS upheld that appeal and reached the decision to ban the athlete from racing for a period of two (2) years from 15 September 2023 to 14 March 2025 (taking into account the period of ineligibility already served).
The athlete is disqualified (DSQ) from the event in Valencia where the sample was collected.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes a comprehensive document known as the Prohibited List, which contains details of the substances and methods that are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.
The List is one of eight mandatory International Standards for signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).
The Prohibited List is updated annually and comes into effect on 1 January every year, and any changes to the Prohibited List are made public every year in early October for changes applicable to the upcoming year.
The Prohibited List is broken down into three parts:
If a substance or method is on or is added to the List, it meets at least two of the following three criteria:
Of the substances and methods prohibited at all times, there are six substance categories: S0 (non-approved substances), S1 (anabolic agents), S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics), S3 (beta-2 agonists), S4 (hormone and metabolic modulators) and S5 (diuretics and masking agents). There are three method categories: M1 (manipulation of blood and blood components), M2 (chemical and physical manipulation) and M3 (gene and cell doping).
Of the substance and methods prohibited in-competition, there are the following categories: S6 (stimulants), S7 (narcotics), S8 (cannabinoids), and S9 (glucocorticoids).
P1 (beta blockers) are prohibited in certain sports (and in some cases, both in-competition and out-of-competition).
Unless otherwise specified by your International Federation (IF), the in-competition period generally starts right before midnight (at 11:59 p.m.) on the day before an athlete’s scheduled competition. It continues until the competition is over, including until the end of the doping control process if the athlete is selected for doping.
As we approach the end of the year, it is important that athletes and athlete support personnel understand what is new on the Prohibited List for 2024.
ITA will host a webinar about the important changes to the 2024 Prohibited List, covering the new prohibited substances for next year. Now is the time for all athletes to check the medicines they are taking to make sure you are prepared for the new rules.
Mark Stuart, Sports Pharmacist, and ITA Senior Manager for Operations Development and David Healy, WADA Senior Manager Medical, Science, and Medicine, will present the most important information that athletes and their support personnel need to know, in a practical and interactive format.
You can register for the webinar here and you can download the 2024 Prohibited List here.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para powerlifting athlete Dawid Lange for a period of four years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code.
The Polish athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for Prohibited Substances in a urine sample provided in-competition on 7 April 2019 during the Men's over 107kg competition at the 2019 Polish Weightlifting Individual Championships for People with Disabilities.
The substances were metabolites of Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT), Metandienone, Oxandrolone and Clomifene. DHCMT, Metandienone, Oxandrolone are listed as Prohibited Substances under class S1.1A of WADA's 2019 Prohibited List (Anabolic Agents). Clomifene is listed as a Prohibited Substance under S4.3 of WADA's 2019 Prohibited List (Hormone and Metabolic Modulators).
The athlete was provisionally suspended by the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) on 13 June 2019 pending a resolution of his case.
On 30 December 2019, the athlete was charged with an ADRV pursuant to the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules.
On 22 July 2020, a POLADA Disciplinary Panel ruled that the athlete had violated the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules and imposed a sanction of a four-year period of Ineligibility on the athlete.
Following an appeal by the athlete, on 17 February 2021 a POLADA Appeal Panel overturned the POLADA First Instance Decision and lifted the athlete’s suspension, on the basis that the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules did not apply to the athlete.
On 30 September 2021, the IPC charged the athlete with an ADRV pursuant to the 2018 IPC Anti-Doping Code and provisionally suspended the athlete pending a resolution of his case.
Following this, the athlete challenged, among other things, the IPC's jurisdiction to bring a case under the IPC Anti-Doping Code against the athlete on the basis of the AAF. This jurisdiction challenge was dismissed in a ruling of the IPC Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal on 9 December 2021, and then by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following an appeal by the athlete to CAS, on 1 May 2023.
Following the dismissal of the jurisdiction challenge by CAS, the substantive ADRV case was heard before the IPC Independent Tribunal. On 13 October 2023 the IPC Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal found the AAF charge to be proven and sanctioned the athlete to a four-year period of Ineligibility.
As a result of his violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs) for four years from 13 June 2019. The suspension is to take into account the POLADA Provisional Suspension (13 June 2019 to 17 February 2021) and the IPC Provisional Suspension (30 September 2021 to 13 October 2023), bringing its end date to 22 January 2024.
The results obtained from the Men's over 107kg competition at the 2019 Polish Weightlifting Individual Championships for People with Disabilities are automatically disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. All other results obtained by the athlete from the date the positive sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are also disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Jude Ellis, Head of Anti-Doping at the IPC, said: “This case serves as a reminder to those athletes who have agreed to participate in any World Para Sports’ competition or who have signed the IPC’s Athlete Eligibility Agreement. Regardless of their level of experience, these athletes have a responsibility to understand and comply with their obligations under the IPC Anti-Doping Code. This includes taking steps to ensure that anything they consume does not contain a substance included on the WADA Prohibited List. The IPC has anti-doping jurisdiction over the World Para Sports, and this applies at all times, whether in-competition or out-of-competition.
“The IPC would also remind National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) to ensure their anti-doping rules are drafted so as to ensure that they have jurisdiction and results management authority over Para athletes where appropriate.”
Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in their sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in their bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.
As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has submitted proposed rule changes to its Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review. Red-lined documents noting these proposed changes are available here:
The FTC will subsequently post the proposed rules to the federal register for public comment.
Until changes to the rules are approved by the FTC, the previously approved version of HISA’s ADMC rules, which took effect May 22, 2023, will remain in place. Those rules are available in full on HISA’s Regulations Page.
Similar to the proposed Racetrack Safety rule changes which HISA submitted to the FTC in September, the proposed changes to the ADMC rules were developed after months of dialogue with and feedback from racing participants across the country, including HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group. During this time, the proposed rules were shared with industry members for informal comments and published on HISA’s website for additional industry input. The proposed changes submitted to the FTC today were reviewed and approved by HISA’s ADMC Committee and full Board of Directors.
When and if these rule changes are approved by the FTC, HISA will undertake robust educational efforts to ensure horsemen nationwide are fully aware of these changes and well-equipped to comply with them before they go into effect.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announces that, following a recommendation from WADA’s Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (Lab EAG) dated 7 November 2023, the Chair of WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo), Witold Bańka, has approved lifting the Analytical Testing Restriction (ATR) for the Gas Chromatography / Combustion / Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) method that was initially imposed on the anti-doping laboratory in Havana, Cuba, on 16 November 2022.
The ExCo Chair’s decision to lift the ATR took effect on 9 November 2023. Consequently, as of this date, the laboratory was able to resume all of its anti-doping activities. However, as part of the decision to lift the ATR, the laboratory shall seek a second opinion before reporting an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) or Atypical Finding (ATF) based on GC/C/IRMS analyses for a period of 12 months of the date of the decision.
The ATR was initially imposed for a period of up to six months as a result of the Havana Laboratory’s non-compliances with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), the Technical Document for Endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroid and the Technical Document for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. In June 2023, in accordance with the ISL, the ATR was extended for a period of six months due to justified delays in addressing the conditions to lift it.
In October 2023, WADA’s Lab EAG reviewed the requested documentation provided by the Havana Laboratory. The documentation included evidence that the laboratory’s GC/C/IRMS method and management procedures were fit-for-purpose and compliant with the ISL and relevant Technical Documents.
Under the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring they maintain the highest quality standards.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of AusCycling to impose a three-year ban on athlete Jackson Sharples for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances.
Mr Sharples returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) from an In-Competition doping control test during the National Road Cycling Championships Masters Criterium on 14 January 2022.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Anastrozole and its metabolite OH-Anastrozole, and Exogenous Testosterone and its metabolites Etiocholanolone, Androsterone and 5βAdiol.
It was also determined that on and/or before 14 January 2022, Mr Sharples used Anastrozole and Testosterone.
In addition, it was also determined:
Mr Sharples is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 31 December 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
Under category S1 of the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List, Testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are anabolic agents prohibited both in-and out-of-competition.
Anabolic agents pose many threats to an athlete’s health and some side effects may include an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Liver disease and infertility can also result from the use of these agents.
The substance Anastrozole is a class S4.1 substance under the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2021. Anastrozole is classified as a Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
Anastrozole is a hormone and metabolic modulator prescribed to treat early breast cancer.
As the use of hormone and metabolic modulators interferes with the normal functioning nature of hormones, the endocrine system that controls these hormones is significantly impacted. This interferes can therefore increases the risk of severe illnesses.
Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone for weight loss and is listed as a class S2.2 substance under the WADA Prohibited List. It is prohibited at all times.
The IIHF imposed a 3-month suspension on Phillip Marinaccio due to a violation of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the IIHF Anti-Doping Code.
During an IIHF Team Whereabouts out-of-competition test on 3 April 2023, the player tested positive for terbutaline, a prohibited substance listed on the WADA Prohibited List under S3. Beta-2 Agonists as a specified substance.
The IIHF considered that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation was not committed intentionally, and that the player’s fault was not significant. Specifically, the player established that the source of the prohibited substance was an inhaler prescribed to him by a doctor and declared by the player on the doping control form.
The player was provisionally suspended as of 20 June 2023, and his 3-month suspension started on that date.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para athletics athlete Rodgers Kiprop for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code.
The Kenyan athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for the administration of testosterone and/or its precursors in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 15 June 2023.
Kehinde’s urine sample was analysed using a specialised type of analysis, known as Gas Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its metabolites of exogenous origin in Kehinde’s urine sample.
The substances are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 and are prohibited at all times.
The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 8 July 2023 pending a resolution of his case.
The athlete subsequently accepted the commission of the ADRV, and the consequences proposed by the IPC.
As a result of his violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs) for three years from 8 July 2023 to 7 July 2026.
All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in their sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in their bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.
As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that rugby union player, Arran Perry has been given an additional six-month ban from all sport for breaching the terms of his current ban, also known as a violation of the prohibition against participation during a period of Ineligibility.
In September 2020, Mr Perry was issued with a four-year ban from sport by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel after a Sample he provided on 28 October 2019 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for oxandrolone and its Metabolites. The ban commenced on 20 December 2019 and is due to end on 19 December 2023.
In November 2022, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) received information that Mr Perry had participated in a training session at Shepshed RFC. Following an investigation into the matter, Mr Perry was charged on 31 March 2023 with breaching the terms of his ban under Article 10.14.1 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). On 18 April 2023, Mr Perry accepted the breach alleged, as well as the additional six-month ban asserted by the RFU.
Mr Perry’s additional six-month ban from sport will therefore commence on 20 December 2023 (i.e., on expiration of his current ban) and will expire at midnight on 19 June 2024.
Jane Rumble, UKAD’s Chief Executive, added: “The Rules are in place to keep sport clean and to ensure a level playing field. UKAD will always ensure that action is taken to enforce the terms of bans on athletes who do not respect them.”
THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) IS ACTIVATING THE PRE-GAMES PHASE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-DOPING PROGRAM FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024 THAT IT IS LEADING ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC). THE PRE-GAMES PROGRAM SUPPORTS WORLDWIDE ANTI-DOPING EFFORTS AHEAD OF THE GAMES TO ENSURE THAT ATHLETES LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT ARE SUBJECT TO A ROBUST AND RISK-PROPORTIONATE TESTING REGIME. THE ITA HAS APPOINTED A PRE-GAMES EXPERT GROUP TO SUPPORT THIS WORK BY ADDRESSING POTENTIAL GAPS AND ISSUING TESTING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALL RELEVANT ANTI-DOPING ORGANISATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ITA HAS ALSO APPOINTED A SUPERVISORY PANEL TO SUPPORT AND MONITOR THE WORK OF THE ITA PARIS 2024 PRE-GAMES EXPERT GROUP, ENSURING A BROAD REPRESENTATION TO HELP STRENGTHEN ANTI-DOPING MEASURES IN THIS IMPORTANT PHASE AHEAD OF THE GAMES.
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is still many months away, but one of the most important phases of the anti-doping program for the event has already commenced. When it comes to doping, special attention must be paid to the lead time before major sports events – both to discourage those that plan on resorting to prohibited substances or methods to qualify to or prepare for competitions, and to ensure that all athletes are competing on a level playing field at the Games, no matter where they come from. During this preparatory phase it is the responsibility of the respective International Federations (IFs) and National/Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs/RADOs) to subject their athletes to a proportionate doping control plan. The ITA Pre-Games program provides an additional layer of independent monitoring and support to ensure that athletes are tested adequately ahead of Paris 2024.
The ITA Paris 2024 Pre-Games Expert Group, consisting of four international experts from IFs and NADOs (see composition below) as well as specialised in-house ITA experts establish a bespoke risk assessment for athletes likely to participate in the Games. This assessment combines a large set of data and risk factors, including testing gaps observed across sports and countries. This allows the ITA Expert Group to share testing recommendations with other anti-doping organisations (these might be IFs or NADOs/RADOs) to ensure that effective testing is conducted globally through a coordinated effort.
Whereas the ITA-led Pre-Games program for Tokyo 2020 focused on issuing generic recommendations covering individual athletes and teams belonging to a large pool of potential participants in the Olympic Games, the model for Paris 2024 focuses on specific recommendations supporting the detection of gaps in strategic aspects of anti-doping programs. This approach is not only quantitative, but also integrates a qualitative component based on the experiences and data models that the ITA was able to establish based on its mission for Tokyo 2020. All targeted testing recommendations issued to the concerned IFs and NADOs/RADOs around the world will then be monitored by the ITA to help achieve their implementation. Additionally, further testing recommendations might be issued closer to the Games as the final list of athletes likely to participate in the event will be clearer. The Pre-Games phase of the anti-doping program for Paris 2024 will end with the opening of the Olympic Village on 18 July 2024.
To further promote the quality and transparency of the ITA Paris 2024 Pre-Games program, for the first time a Supervisory Panel was appointed by the ITA composed of Athletes’ representatives and members from eight IFs and NADOs to join the initiative in a supervisory and advisory role. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also been invited to sit on the Supervisory Panel as observer and to monitor compliance aspects of the implementation of the testing recommendations.
ITA Director General Mr. Benjamin Cohen said: “We have harnessed important learnings from our clean sport mission for Tokyo 2020 which now help us improve further the Pre-Games anti-doping program for Paris 2024. This project emphasises the significance of true international collaboration for fair play at the Games as all concerned anti-doping organisations have to work towards the common goal of robust testing regimes ahead of Paris 2024. The ITA is honoured to coordinate this important work in such a key period for clean sport. We wish to thank in advance all the stakeholders for playing their part in this process: athletes who play fairly and make themselves available for testing, IFs and NADOs which dedicate constant efforts to implement solid testing programs, the World Anti-Doping Agency for its important compliance monitoring role to ensure that all organisations carry out the necessary controls in a timely manner, all the laboratories which will work under increased pressure up until the opening of the Games and finally all the experts who contribute to this global effort to safeguard the integrity of the Games and protect the athletes’ right to take part in clean competitions. The Pre-Games phase of the anti-doping program is our shared responsibility, and together, we will strive for integrity, excellence, and true sportsmanship in the pursuit of clean sport.”
Member of the WADA Athlete Council, Iñaki Gomez, said: “For many athletes, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris, France, will be the highlight of their careers. WADA and the global anti-doping community have been working together to maintain the integrity of the system in preparation so that athletes can have the level playing field they deserve. In the build-up to the Games, it is important that all Anti-Doping Organizations make the most of the remaining time to ensure that athletes are tested to the appropriate level. I am delighted to be part of the Paris 2024 Pre-Games Supervisory Panel being led by the ITA to make sure that athletes are ready for the Games from an anti-doping perspective and that above all, the integrity and fairness of sport can be upheld.”
The FEI Tribunal has issued a Final Decision under the FEI Equine Anti-Doping Rules Article 2.3 for Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit the horse to Sample Collection.
In this case, the athlete Ayedh Al Mughamer (FEI ID 10174065/KSA), failed to submit the horse Talaqah (FEI ID 108BA98/KSA), to the doping control station for a sample collection at the CEI1* 100 Riyadh (KSA), 10-11 February 2023.
The horse was selected for a mandatory in-competition doping control test on 11 February following a positive hyposensitivity examination. The athlete refused the testing and left the event with the horse.
In its final decision the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year ineligibility period on the athlete from the date of the decision, the provisional suspension served by the athlete will be credited against the period of ineligibility. The athlete was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. Lastly, the results of the horse and athlete combination from the event will be disqualified.
The full Decision is available here.
Separately, the FEI has notified an alleged Equine Anti-Doping Rule Violation under the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs). In this case, the athlete has been provisionally suspended until the decision of the FEI Tribunal and the horse has been provisionally suspended for two months.
THE ITA SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTES TRIATHLETE YULIA YELISTRATOVA (UKRAINE) BEFORE THE ANTI-DOPING DIVISION OF THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS ADD), WHICH HAS RULED THAT SHE HAS COMMITTED AN ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATION (ADRV) FOR PRESENCE OF EPO AND HAS SANCTIONED THE ATHLETE WITH 5 YEARS OF INELIGIBILITY AND DISQUALIFICATION OF ALL RESULTS.
As previously reported by the ITA, the matter concerns an in-competition sample collected by World Triathlon from Yulia Yelistratova on 5 June 2021 in the scope of the 2021 Europe Triathlon Cup in Dnipro, Ukraine and out-of-competition samples collected by the ITA on 23 July 2021 under the Testing Authority of the International Olympic Committee in Tokyo, Japan. The analysis of the samples returned Adverse Analytical Findings for recombinant erythropoietin (EPO, S2. Peptide, Hormones, Growth Factors, related substances, and mimetics). The athlete had been provisionally suspended by the ITA ahead of her competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games that took place in July 2021.
Following the Results Management process, the ITA submitted the matter for adjudication to CAS ADD. A hearing took place before CAS ADD on 23 January 2023 at which the ITA represented World Triathlon.
After hearing the parties and considering the written submissions and evidence, CAS ADD found that the athlete had committed an ADRV under Art. 2.1 of the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules for the Presence of EPO in her samples. CAS ADD also concluded that aggravating circumstances had been established in this case and hence the period of ineligibility imposed was 5 years, starting from 25 July 2021 until 24 July 2026 and disqualification of all competitive results from 5 June 2021 onwards.
No parties have appealed the decision; the CAS ADD decision is final and binding. No further comments will be made on this case.
On 19-20 October, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in-person, for its third and final regular meeting this year, to discuss a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program.
The CRC Chair, Henry Gourdji, who was accompanied by CRC members and WADA Management in Montreal, led discussions on the following matters:
The CRC also held an in-camera session on 18 October to prepare, review and discuss documentation received.
WADA and the CRC also took the opportunity to express their appreciation to Penny Heyns, who currently fills the athlete member seat of the CRC. Her term concludes at the end of 2023.
The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code.
Mr. Gourdji will report to the next Executive Committee meeting on 16 November and the Foundation Board on 17 November.
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid pain medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. It is sometimes used to treat pain due to sports injuries in athletes. It is in the category of “Narcotics” on the Prohibited List.
Tramadol is available in many different formulations, and is sold under many various brand names in different countries. Examples of brand names include: Tramal, Tramedo, Tramake, Zydol. Many other brand names exist and so athletes should check with their doctor or pharmacist what brands are prescribed in their own countries.
For a substance to be placed on the Prohibited List it must meet two of the three following criteria:
Recent studies have confirmed the potential to enhance physical performance in certain activities. Read one of the studies here: Is tramadol a performance enhancing drug?
Tramadol use has potential health risks for athletes. It can result in serious side effects, which include addiction and physical dependence, seizures and decreased alertness.
Use of tramadol for the purpose of performance enhancement is also against the spirit of sport.
Athletes will be prohibited to use tramadol during the in-competition period unless they have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
What is the In-Competition period?
The in-competition period usually begins at 11:59pm on the night before competition, but always check your International Federation’s (IF) Anti-Doping Rules.
Sometimes tramadol is required to be prescribed and administered to athletes for the urgent or emergency treatment of pain, such as when a severe, painful injury occurs during sport. When required for urgent or emergency treatment during the in-competition period, a Retroactive TUE should be applied for. It is therefore important that your doctor keeps good medical records of tramadol administration as it will be needed for this purpose.
Tell your doctor that tramadol is banned in-competition in sport. Ask them to consider your treatment options and possible alternatives.
If you require tramadol for your condition, ask your doctor to support you in submitting a TUE application. This may be a “Retroactive TUE” if tramadol was needed urgently for emergency treatment.
Understand the process around TUEs and whether you need one. Make sure you follow the necessary steps and have the required medical documentation. The ITA Athlete Hub is an excellent resource for more information on these topics.
The consequences of a positive test for a substance on the Prohibited List can be wide-ranging, with potential serious adverse effects to your health, sanctions from competing in your sport which will impact your sporting career, social and family network and potentially your finances.
You can find two interesting webinars on the ITA YouTube channel about the consequences of doping. Check out this playlist, or watch them directly below.
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) player Kaiden Carnell has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
On 9 March 2023, UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Carnell at a Ystrad Rhondda squad training session. Analysis of Mr Carnell’s urine Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for oxandrolone.
Oxandrolone is a Prohibited Substance listed under S.1 of the 2023 WADA Prohibited List. It is an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid, which is prohibited at all times.
On 14 April 2023, UKAD notified Mr Carnell that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). Mr Carnell was also provisionally suspended from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport from that same date.
Mr Carnell responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 24 April 2023, admitting the ADRVs. UKAD charged Mr Carnell with both ADRVs on 2 June 2023. On 16 June 2023, Mr Carnell responded to the Charge Letter, confirming that he had used oxandrolone, and admitting both ADRVs and the applicable consequences.
Under ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Carnell’s prompt admission of the ADRVs afforded him a one-year reduction to his ban.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations, said:
“The Anti-Doping Rules apply to all Athletes. Those rules are here to keep players safe and protect the integrity of sport. All participants in the sport of rugby union are liable for the consequences of their actions should they violate the Anti-Doping Rules.
“Rugby is a team sport. Doping impacts the whole team. It’s not worth the risk. Always play clean and respect the rules of the game.”
Mr Carnell’s period of ineligibility is deemed to have commenced on 14 April 2023 (the date of the provisional suspension) and will expire on 13 April 2026.
Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, and the update of 28 September 2023, WADA wishes to update stakeholders regarding the ExCo’s decision to follow the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to allege new consequences and reinstatement conditions against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), which is already non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code(1). The non-compliance in this case was a result of a non-conformity relating to national legislation that was identified during a virtual audit in September 2022 and not addressed to date.
Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), RUSADA had 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute the consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency.
Today, WADA has received formal notification from RUSADA that it disputes WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, the proposed consequences and reinstatement conditions. WADA will shortly refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for its consideration. As such, the consequences will not apply until such time as CAS makes its ruling.
(1) As it relates to the December 2020 decision by CAS, since the end of the two-year period of consequences imposed by CAS, WADA has been assessing and monitoring RUSADA to see whether it meets all the reinstatement conditions contained in the CAS decision. Until all the reinstatement conditions are met, RUSADA cannot be considered for reinstatement. In addition, RUSADA will not be eligible for reinstatement under the CAS Award until the non-conformity related to its national legislation (described above) is resolved.
For more information on non-compliant Signatories
There are currently four non-compliant Code Signatories. They are the NADOs from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Gabon and Russia, as well as the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation.
For more information on the Signatories and the consequences, please visit the ‘Global list of non-compliant signatories and applicable consequences’ page of WADA’s website. While WADA will monitor the implementation of the consequences, under Code Article 24.1.9, other Signatories to the Code must recognize and implement the consequences in full.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from boxing athlete Chinzorig Baatarsukh from Mongolia has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for metandienone metabolite, a non-specified Prohibited Substance, according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 4 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022
Divine Oduduru has been banned for six years by a three-member Disciplinary Tribunal for committing two Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) of Possession of Prohibited Substances and the Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Method and ordered to pay World Athletics US$3000 towards its expenses regarding the case.
The ban takes retroactive effect from 9 February 2023 – the date on which the Nigerian sprinter’s provisional suspension began – and runs until 8 February 2029, while all his results from July 12 2021 until the date of his provisional suspension have been disqualified.
The case arose out of the criminal investigation into Eric Lira who earlier this year became the first person to plead guilty under the US Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act to providing performance enhancement drugs to Olympic athletes in advance of the Tokyo Olympic Games (Southern District of New York | First Defendant Charged With Violating Anti-Doping Act Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court | United States Department of Justice). The initial complaint issued by the US Department of Justice against Lira in January 2022 made reference to two athletes, “Athlete1” and “Athlete-2”. By comparing information from Blessing Okagbare’s doping cases, which resulted in a cumulative 11-year ban for her last year, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) concluded that “Athlete-1” was Okagbare and, following an interview with her Nigerian teammate Oduduru, in May 2022, the AIU concluded that Oduduru was “Athlete-2”.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of this matter, given its particularly grievous nature, exposing the sinister collusion between athletes and other persons in deliberate plans to corrupt athletics at the highest level,” said Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU – World Athletics’ independent integrity arm which brought the charges against Oduduru.
“The AIU is fully committed to unearthing cheats and the extent of their networks. In our quest to protect the integrity of athletics, we often work closely with other investigative organisations. On this occasion, we are grateful for the assistance from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and United States Department of Justice whose legal reach provided vital evidence which helped in this matter as well as in our case against Blessing Okagbare last year.”
The panel found Oduduru guilty of Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method under Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) and of Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method (ADR 2.2), together treated as a single first violation. Oduduru received a mandatory fouryear ban for the combined violation, with an additional two years for Aggravating Circumstances (ADR 10.4), after the panel determined there was justification for increasing the period of ineligibility, due to the athlete having multiple nonspecified Prohibited Substances which he attempted to use in the lead-up to World Athletics’ competitions and the Tokyo Olympic Games (summer 2021).
“To procure those substances, he engaged into a scheme with his teammate who in her turn was procuring those substances on his behalf from a person who was illegally bringing them to US in order to distribute among athletes with the aim to improve their sport performance, thus influencing unfairly the outcome of athletic competitions, including the major ones. The Panel considers this behaviour to be particularly serious,” read the decision.
While the panel did not uphold the AIU’s charge against Oduduru of Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, it was satisfied that he had engaged in conduct that constituted a substantial step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in the Use of a Prohibited Substance and therefore upheld the Attempted Use charge.
Oduduru, who turned 27 on 7 October, maintained his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him. At the core of the AIU’s case were Whatsapp messages between Okagbare and Lira, which revealed Okagbare soliciting Prohibited Substances on Oduduru’s behalf, and photographic evidence of multiple Prohibited Substances discovered in Oduduru’s Florida apartment.
The Prohibited Substances found in Oduduru’s apartment were two boxes of Somatropin, “Xerendip” and “Humatrope”, which were identified as human growth hormone; a plastic ziplock bag labelled “IGF LR3” – an abbreviation for synthetic or “recombinant” Insulin Growth Factor – containing three vials, and two boxes of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO). According to testimony, one of the boxes of EPO was open and had only one of six vials remaining.
Also discovered in the apartment was an opened US Postal Service envelope containing “Xerendip” – addressed to Okagbare and with Lira labelled as the sender.
“The Panel finds it to be an extraordinary coincidence that all the Prohibited Substances found in the Athlete’s apartment were precisely those requested from Mr. Lira by Ms. Okagbare for her and “Divine”, specifying that she had to give (to Divine) his stuff too and for which she tested positive (EPO and hGH),” asserted the Panel.
Given the Prohibited Substances found in Oduduru’s apartment, when and where they were found, and the fact that he had exclusive control of the apartment, the panel concluded that Oduduru was in constructive possession of the Prohibited Substances.
As we approach the final stages of the 2023 tour season, the ITIA is reminding players and their support teams to be aware of upcoming changes to the WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] Prohibited List, which will take effect from 1 January 2024.
The full list of prohibited substances has been published by WADA and is available here. The most notable change to the list is the addition of tramadol, a well-known and commonly used pain-killing drug. Tramadol will become a prohibited substance in the new year, following recommendation of the List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit its use in competition from 2024.
Tramadol has been on the WADA Monitoring Program and data gathered through that programme have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction and overdoses in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.
The ITIA will work with everyone on the tennis tour to ensure that players understand the changes to the WADA Prohibited List in 2024. Players who currently use tramadol as part of their pain management regimen are urged to phase out its use as soon as possible, as its presence in a player’s system will constitute a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) from January 2024 – except in the cases in which a player successfully applies for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), with legitimate medical grounds for use.
Committed to prioritising prevention of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) over punishment, the ITIA will – in collaboration with the ATP, WTA, and ITF - deliver a mixture of direct communication, education sessions and visual reminders in player-facing areas at tournaments to ensure that players are fully aware of the changes ahead of the 2024 season.
Nicole Sapstead, the ITIA’s Senior Director for Anti-Doping, said: “It is essential that all players and their representatives are aware of upcoming changes to the Prohibited List. In particular, players must note the addition of tramadol as a banned substance from next year.
“As a sport, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that the non-essential use of tramadol is eliminated before the changes to the Prohibited List take effect.
“Being unaware of changes to the list is, unfortunately, no defence against prospective sanctions, and it is incumbent upon the entire tennis family to protect players from unintentional doping violations by taking a proactive approach to rule changes.”
Players seeking further understanding of the WADA Prohibited List, or seeking practical support from the ITIA on anti-doping matters, can make contact with us directly via our app, through direct message on social media, or by filling out the contact form at itia.tennis.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from weightlifter Erdenezul Buyandelger, from Mongolia, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited steroid drostanolone metabolite according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 1 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. She has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from track and field athlete Wesam Nasser A ALFARSI, from Saudi Arabia, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substance darbepoetin (dEPO) according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 29 September 2023.
The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a human anti-doping case.
A sample taken from the Brazilian athlete Pedro Stefani Marino (FEI ID 10017829) on 5 December 2021 during the CEI3* 160 Punta del Este (URU), returned positive for the Prohibited Substance Carboxy-THC. Carboxy-THC is a metabolite of THC (Cannabis) and is included in the Class “S8 Cannabinoids” of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List 2021. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 2 February 2022.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of two years, starting from the date of the Final Decision (2 October 2023). Additionally, all competitive results of the Athlete obtained at the Event and from the date of the hearing onwards (15 May 2023) were disqualified with all the relevant consequences (forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes, etc.). Any competitive results from the conclusion of the Event up until the date of the hearing remained valid. Finally, the Athlete was imposed a fine of CHF 7,500 and ordered to pay costs of CHF 5,000.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.
The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that British bobsledder Nathan Togun will serve an additional nine-year ban from sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for Tampering and a breach of the terms of his original ban.
In August 2019, Mr Togun was issued with a four-year ban from sport after a Sample he provided on 6 October 2018 returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for metabolites of stanozolol. In the course of those proceedings, Mr Togun asserted that he had been prescribed stanozolol for a medical condition and provided UKAD with a ‘Statement of fitness for work’ certificate to support that assertion. This certificate purported to confirm that Mr Togun was not fit for work and indicated that he had been prescribed stanozolol.
UKAD made enquiries to check the veracity of the document and found that the document was not genuine.
On 11 November 2022, UKAD charged Mr Togun with the commission of an ADRV for Tampering. On 14 February 2023, Mr Togun admitted the charge. Since this was Mr Togun’s second ADRV, the period of Ineligibility to be applied is eight years (which is twice the ban that would have been applied had this been Mr Togun’s first ADRV).
Separately, in late 2019, UKAD became aware that Mr Togun, while serving his original ban, had been assisting an Athlete licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC). Contrary to the terms of his ban, Mr Togun partook in sparring sessions with the Athlete and assisted him with strength and conditioning sessions.
On 25 October 2022 following a full investigation, UKAD charged Mr Togun with a breach of Article 10.12.1 of the ADR and proposed an additional period of Ineligibility of one-year by way of sanction. Mr Togun accepted this new period of Ineligibility in respect of the breach of his original ban.
Mr Togun’s nine-year ban from sport was deemed to have commenced on 13 November 2022 and will expire on 12 November 2031.
Jane Rumble, UKAD’s Chief Executive, added: “The rules are in place to make sure everyone plays their part in keeping sport clean and to ensure a level playing field.
“Tampering with any part of the Doping Control process is a serious offence. Where an Athlete seeks to undermine the Doping Control process, including by providing falsified documentation to UKAD during Anti-Doping proceedings, they should be under no illusion that such behaviour will lead to a lengthy ban from sport.
“Furthermore, this case shows that UKAD will act on intelligence and investigate to enforce bans on athletes who do not respect the conditions of their original sanctions.”
