CAS 2016_A_4839 Anna Chicherova vs IOC
October 6, 2017
Ms. Anna Chicherova is a Russian Athlete competing in the Women’s high jump event at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
In 2016, the IOC decided to perform further analyses on certain samples collected during the 2008 Olympic Games. These additional analyses were performed with analytical methods which were not available in 2008.
In May 2016 the International Olympic Committee reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her 2008 A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance
dehydrochlormthyltestosterone (turinabol).
After notification the Athlete filed a statement and several objections in her defence and did not attend the hearing of the IOC Disciplinary Commission. The Athlete denied having used any prohibited substance and suggested that the test results could be due to food supplement without providing any explanations in regard to the source of the analytical findings.
The IOC notes that the Athlete and her council had been deliberately attempting to obstruct the process, first the analytical process and then the disciplinary proceedings.
The Commission concludes that the Athlete’s right to be heard and her right to attend the analysis as provided for the ISL were not violated. The IOC finds that the Athlete was in possession of the relevant documentation and that the IOC has jurisdiction to conduct these proceedings and issue a decision.
The Commission further observes that the substance at stake is a classical doping substance, which appears to have been widely used and which was effectively found in a high number of cases. In several of these cases, the athletes concerned did not challenge the finding. The Disciplinary Commission thus notes that the finding is consistent with intentional use of a Prohibited Substance ingested to improve performance.
Therefore the IOC Disciplinary Commission decides on 4 October 2016 that the Athlete Anna Chicherova:
1.) is found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing in 2008,
2.) is disqualified from the Women’s high jump event in which she placed 3rd upon the occasion of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008.
3.) has the bronze medal, the diploma, and the medallist pin obtained in the Women’s high jump event withdrawn and is ordered to return same.
4.) The IAAF is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.
5.) The Russian Olympic Committee shall ensure full implementation of this decision.
6.) The Russian Olympic Committee shall notably secure the return to the IOC, as soon as possible, of the medal, the medallist pin and the diploma awarded in connection with the Women’s high jump event to the Athlete.
7.) This decision enters into force immediately.
