Related case:
FISA 2008 FISA vs Anastasia Fatina & Anastasia Karabelshchikova
February 5, 2008
FISA 2008 FISA vs Russian Rowing Federation (1)
January 27, 2008
FISA 2008 FISA vs Russian Rowing Federation (2)
April 4, 2008
The International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) was informed that medical materials were found in a rubbish bin near the hotel used by the Russian team in Lucerne during the World Cup Regatta from 13-15 July 2007.
This comprised intravenous infusion equipment, along with legal substances such as creatine and fructose.
The materials were taken to the Anti-Doping Laboratory in Lausanne and analysed. Hereafter the DNA of three of the blood samples, provided by the Russian Athlete’s, matched with the DNA samples from the blood found on the needles.
In September 2007 the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athletes Alexander Litvintchev, Evgeny Luzyanin and Ivan Podshivalov for intravenous infusion with no legitimate medical treatment. FISA notified the Athletes and a provisional suspension was ordered.
The president of the Russian Rowing Federation filed statements in their defence and appeared for the FISA Doping Hearing Panel on behalf of the Athletes.
FISA had received a document from the Russian Rowing Federation which stated that the team doctor did not use intravenous injections to introduce substances to the Athletes. However in a second document the former team doctor admitted his involvement with intravenous infusions and he did administer intravenous infusions to these three Athletes as prescribed medical treatment for dehydration and convulsions. In a third document the president of the Russian Rowing Federation stated, in contradiction with the first document, that intravenous infusions took place as legitimate medical treatment administered by the team doctor.
On the basis of the medical reports provided by the Russian Federation and the advice of the medical experts, the Panel concludes that the Athletes used a prohibited method, intravenous infusion, for sports recovery purposes, rather than medical treatment. The intravenous infusion of a fructose substance is not a remedy for the illness diagnosed and therefore not a legitimate medical treatment. The Panel notes that the contradiction in the Russian statements does raise questions as to the reliability of the submitted evidence.
The FISA Doping Hearing Panel decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete’s, starting on 27 August 2007.
