The Sports Tribunal has suspended Simeon Woolsey, a member of MotorSport New Zealand, for a period of two years after he ordered Tamoxifen and Clomiphene from an online pharmacy, which are both prohibited substances both in and out of competition. On 4 May 2020, Mr Woolsey was provisionally suspended without opposition.

He subsequently admitted the violation and stated that he had purchased the prohibited substances in an attempt to self-treat an unspecified medical condition. He further stated that he was not a professional athlete, was unaware the sports anti-doping rules applied to him as an amateur athlete; and that he had no intention of continuing in the sport. He stated that he believed the importation of the prohibited substances was lawful as he did not require a prescription.

On 8 June 2020, the parties filed a joint memorandum proposing an appropriate sanction. The presumptive two year period of ineligibility applied in circumstances where it was a first violation and intention was not established. The memorandum suggested that it was appropriate to backdate the period of ineligibility to three months prior to the date of Mr Woolsey’s provisional suspension, based on his timely admission of the violation. The memorandum stated counsels’ view that a finding of lack of intention was properly available to the Tribunal.

The Tribunal considered the violation and the evidence provided by Mr Woolsey. It was satisfied that it was able to accept the proposal and make orders accordingly. The prohibited substances were not taken to enhance performance but to self-treat an unspecified medical condition. Having considered al thel available material, the Tribunal agreed to impose a two year sanction period backdated to commence from 4 February 2020, being the date that was three months prior to Mr Woolsey’s provisional suspension.

• This media release was published by the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand (STNZ) on 16 June 2020. Click here for the original, and click here for the Full Decision.