Competitor receives 2-year ban for Doping |
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An Off-Road Motorcycle competitor, who tested
positive for the use of a banned substance, Cannabinoids
(Marijuana), received the minimum 2 year ban from participation
in motorsport as well as any other sport after an Anti-Doping
Tribunal hearing at Motorsport South Africa (MSA). Anti-doping controls, conducted by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS), were carried out at two motorsport events last year, namely at the Ermelo Toyota 400, a round of the National Off-Road Motorcycle and Quad Championship on 1 November and the National Drag Racing Championship at Tarlton on 30 November 2008. At the Ermelo Toyota 400, the following competitors tested negative. Gray Dick Vincent Loubser Juan van Rooyen Juan Coetzee Brian Baragwanath The urine sample for Pieter Breedt tested positive for the presence of Glucocorticosteroid, Prednisone and its metabolite, Prednisolone. This medication is allowed if a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is granted by SAIDS. The Competitor was requested to submit a retroactive (TUE) for the use of Glucocorticosteroid, Prednisone. The urine sample for Theo Potgieter tested positive for the presence of Cannabinoids (marijuana) In terms of the MSA and SAIDS Anti-Doping Code, an Anti-Doping Tribunal was held on 26 February 2009 and the findings were made public on the 17 March. A copy is posted on the MSA Website under Anti-Doping Tribunal on the MSA Website ( (CLICK HERE) ) for a copy of the findings). Theo Potgieter received the prescribed minimum penalty, i.e a 2-year ban from participation in motorsport as well as any other sport. The ban is effective from 1 November 2008. Members of the Anti-Doping Tribunal were Adv Pierre de Waal (SC), Dr Debbie van Niekerk and Mr George Portman. In the findings the Tribunal stated that: “It continues to boggle the mind that even prominent sportsmen and women in various forms of sport, are seemingly quite prepared to take the risk associated with the use of banned substances in the hope of escaping detection to enjoy the false glory of their artificially enhanced performance. Having said that, this tribunal is acutely aware that not all prohibited substances are necessarily performance enhancing. It is also for that reason that it is not a requirement for a doping violation to occur that the substance used should enhance performance. The demoralizing effect of substance abuse on sportsmen and women who do not partake in such deplorable conduct, should also not be underestimated.” The Tribunal further quoted the MSA Anti-Doping code that states: “No leniency will be granted by MSA to any motorsport Participant who violates any article contained in the MSA Anti-Doping Code. You will be publicly identified as having committed a Doping violation and you will have to live with the consequences of your actions”. At the Drag Racing event at Tarlton, the following competitors tested negative. Nico van Rensburg Vanessa Fourie Russell Slater Richard Jordaan Michael van Rensburg Charles Slater Competitors are urged to familiarize themselves with the Anti-Doping Code contained in Appendix L of the 2009 MSA Handbook (General Competition Rules & Appendices), as well as the SAIDS Anti Doping Rules which are posted on the MSA Website under Anti Doping. |