In October 2023 the Cricket Regulator, on behalf of the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Cricket player Chris Wright after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Ostarine.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel.
The Athlete admitted the violation 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.
After investigations he had established that a bilberry supplement was the source of the prohibited substance. Analysis in a laboratory of the bilberry capsules from the supplement opened package confirmed the presence of Ostarine contaminants.
The Athlete asserted that he had checked the ingredients of medications and supplements he used and he had mentioned these on the Doping Control Form. Moreover Ostarine was not mentioned as ingredient on the label of this product.
In view of the evidence the Cricket Regulator, supported by the London Laboratory, agrees that the Athlete's violation was not intentional and that he had demonstrated how the prohibited substance had entered his system.
The Panel considered the Athlete's conduct in this case regarding his research of this bilberry supplement in question. As a result the Panel concludes that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the National Anti-Doping Panel decides on 21 May 2024 to impose a 9 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 19 October 2023.
