CAS 2022/A/9222 Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) v. World Triathlon & Valentina Riasova
In November 2021 World Triathlon reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Methylhexaneamine.
Prior in October 2021 the Russian triathlete Valentina Riasove had already informed World Triathlon that she inadvertently had ingested her husband's supplement containing Methylhexaneamine. As a result she had concerns that her samples provided after 14 September 2021 might test positive for this prohibited substance.
Moreover the Seibersdorf Laboratory confirmed in January 2022 that her husband's supplement contained prohibited contaminants. Additionally reanalysis of the Athlete's sample established the presence of Methylhexaneamine.
Thereupon in July 2022 the Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. Ultimately on 12 September 2022 World Triathlon decided to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete because of her use of a contaminated supplement.
Hereafter in October 2022 RUSADA appealed the World Triathlon Decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). RUSADA requested the Panel to set aside the Appealed Decision and to impose a more severe sanction on the Athlete.
RUSADA contended that the Athlete failed to demonstrate how the prohibited substance had entered her system. Furthermore RUSADA deemed that the Athlete acted with Significant Fault or Negligence.
The Sole Arbitrator assessed and addressed the evidence in this case and determines that:
- The presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample.
- The Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation.
- The Athlete established how the prohibited substance had entered her system.
- The violation was not intentional because of the inadvertent ingestion of a contaminated product.
- The Athlete has not demonstrated that she bears No Significant Fault or Negligence.
- There are no grounds for a reduced sanction.
Therefore the Court of Arbitration for Sport decides on 15 September 2023:
1.) The appeal filed by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency against the decision rendered by World Triathlon of 12 September 2022 is upheld.
2.) The decision rendered by World Triathlon on 12 September 2022 is set aside.
3.) Valentina Riasova is sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of two years starting from the date of this Award. Any period of ineligibility, whether imposed on, or voluntarily accepted by Valentina Riasova before the entry into force of the CAS award, shall be credited against the total period of ineligibility to be served.
4.) All competitive results obtained by Valentina Riasova from 25 September 2021 to 25 March 2022 inclusive shall be disqualified with all the resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
5.) (…).
6.) (…).
7.) All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.
