The Portuguese Sergio Silva Oro in the 2011 Duathlon Championship suspended 6 months for doping

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced that it has imposed a six-month ban on Sergio Silva, a duathlete from Portugal, after he committed an anti-doping rule violation at a doping control during the event held at the 2011 in Gijón (Spain) ITU Duathlon World Championship in which he won gold.

The ban will end on May 9, 2012 and prohibits Silva from participating in any competition or activity sanctioned by the ITU, its National Federations (NFs) and/or any other signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code.

The rule violation was the result of the presence of demethylpentylamine (DMPA), also known as methylhexaneamine (MHEA). DMPA is a stimulant and a prohibited substance under the WADA Prohibited List and the ITU Anti-Doping Rules.

The certificate of analysis confirmed the adverse analytical finding was received by the ITU from the WADA-accredited National Anti-Doping Laboratory in Madrid and indicated the presence of DMPA.

On January 19, 2012, the Madrid Laboratory reported that analysis of the B sample confirmed the finding of DMPA (MHEA) use in a sample from Silva, resulting in an anti-doping rule violation, in accordance with article 2.1.2 of the ITU anti-doping rules and the World Anti-Doping.

Silva appealed for leniency on the grounds that the finding of DMPA in the sample is the result of his ingestion of Top Fuel Launch, a dietary supplement prescribed by his nutritionist who erroneously confirmed that it did not contain banned substances, but did contain In fact, deposit significant amounts of geranium oil also known as dimethylpentylamine (DMPA).

The Hearing Commission concluded that the documentation and evidence provided by Silva was persuasive and that he inadvertently took the substance, with no intention of enhancing his performance. However, the panel also considered that Silva should also be held to the same standard as all other athletes. He was warned about the dangers of supplement use, relied on his nutritionist's erroneous advice, and did not further investigate the reference to DMPA use on the supplement label.

After reviewing all the facts of this case and carefully deliberating all issues, the ITU Anti-Doping Commission has concluded the mandatory 2-year ban for a first anti-doping violation under Article 10.2 of the ITU Anti-Doping Rules. UTI can be reduced. The group decided that Silva has committed an anti-doping rule violation and will be suspended for 6 months.

As a result, Silva will forfeit his gold medal and all ranking points from the ITU Duathlon World Championships and must return all prize money.

It is the Panel's hope that this case will prompt all triathletes to not only become aware of their responsibilities and obligations under the ITU Rules and the WADA Code, but to take seriously being aware of everything they eat and avoiding the use of dietary supplements.

The decision of the Anti-Doping Commission is final, but can be appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, by Silva, the Portuguese Triathlon Federation or WADA.

ITU is strongly committed to upholding the integrity of sport by ensuring athletes are competing on a level playing field and assisting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to help keep triathlon clean. The ITU anti-doping rules are written in compliance with the WADA Code. A National Federation (NF) affiliated to the ITU, must comply with the WADA Code and the ITU Rules.

Source: biciciclismo.com

Original news:http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/sergio_silva_por_suspended_for_6_months_due_to_anti-doping_rule_violation/