• An employee of the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) in Tromsø has been accused of keeping 2,000 tablets containing prohibited substances in sport, reports iTromsø. It is understood that the 31 year old partnered with a 43 year old to distribute the prohibited substances, which included approximately 195,000mg of active anabolic steroids, as well as  two bottles of clenbuterol.

• The former President of USA Gymnastics, Steve Penny, has been arrested due to allegations that he tampered with evidence during the investigation into Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor who was convicted of sexual assault, reports The Guardian. An indictment alleges that Penny ordered the removal of documents relating to Nassar’s activities from the Karolyi Ranch, which hosted training camps. 

• US cyclist Jeff Tanski has received a four year ban after returning an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for nandrolone, announced USADA. Tanski was sanctioned using a test that differentiates between anabolic agents produced by the body (endogenous) and those administered to the body (exogenous).

• The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has issued a warning regarding growing athlete use of GW1516, a developmental drug that was discontinued after being linked to the development of cancer in mice. ‘GW1516 has been linked to a number of positive doping tests in endurance-related sports’, read a statement. ‘After a number of positive tests for GW1516 in 2013, WADA and ASADA released a warning on its health risks. In 2015 and 2016 there were less than six positive tests for GW1516 globally each year. In 2017 however, the number of positive tests for GW1516 rose to 31 […] Athletes seeking to obtain an “edge” from the use of GW1516 need to be aware that they risk more than a positive test if they choose to take it – they may be risking their life.’

• The international equestrian federation (FEI) has issued decisions in four cases involving prohibited substances, three of which involve banned diuretic trometamol. The fourth case involved oripavine, morphine and codeine.

• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published a new technical document outlining the 2019 Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Management Unit Requirements and Procedures. The document outlines specific requirements that must be met in order to operate an ABP.

• The international equestrian federation (FEI) announced that it has set up a temporary committee to create a roadmap for the future of endurance horse competitions, after being forced to sack a member of the original reform committee, who is subject to an investigation by the FEI integrity unit over a cancelled event. In 2015, the FEI began an investigation into ‘fake’ endurance horse races, however it is understood that this investigation centres on the cancelled endurance competition at the Tyron 2018 World Equestrian Games.