In July 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Brazillian Athlete Thiago Braz Da Silva after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Ostarine in a low concentration.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.
The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He argued that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence and requested for a reduced sanction.
He assumed that a contaminated supplement had caused the positive test results. He had used his supplements in question since September 2022 and these products were provided by his sports nutritionist and a compound pharmacy.
The Athlete's Scienza Farma supplements were tested in three laboratories, including the Cologne Laboratory. Analysis revealed the presence of Ostarine contaminants in 3 supplements he had used.
The Athlete was assured that these supplements did not contain banned substances. Moreover his team took substantial precautionary measures to avoid the risk of contamination.
The AIU contended that there was insufficient evidence of supplement contamination and that the Athlete failed to demonstrate the origin of the prohibited substance in his samples. The AIU deems that the actions of the Athlete and his team in relation to compound pharmacies was not sufficient to show that he did not manifestly diesregard the risk.
The Panel assessed and addressed the evidence of the Parties and their expert witnesses and determines that:
- The presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly he committed an anti-doping rule violation.
- The Ostarine detected in the Athlete's samples originates from the Scienza Farma contaminated supplements.
- The Athlete has proven on a balance of probabilities the source of the positive tests.
- The Athlete has established that the violation was not intentional and that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.
- Nevertheless he should have been more cautious in his trust of his medical team, requested more specific information and documents, and should have made reasonable searches himself.
Therefore the Panel by majority decides on 20 May 2024 to impose a 16 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 28 July 2023.
