The SII Anti-Doping Monitor – week ending 3 June 2022

Fifteen athletes from nine countries, competing in 12 sports, were involved in anti-doping proceedings that came to light this week. The continued use of erythropoietin (EPO) in cycling was underlined by a four year ban issued to Marcin Polak, who returned three adverse analytical findings (AAFs – or ‘positive tests’) for EPO in a three month period, and lost a Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medal as a result.

London 2012 High Jump champion Eric Kynard Jr. discovered that anti-doping doesn’t stop when you retire. Acting in response to a tip off, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) discovered a social media post indicating that Kynard Jr. had received an intravenous saline solution on 14 January 2022, after his June 2021 retirement.

Saline (salt) solution is not prohibited in sport, however Article M2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List prohibits any intravenous infusions of more than 100mL in a 12 hour period, expect those administered during medical treatment. Kynard Jr.’s infusion exceeded WADA’s limits and his six month ban began on 20 May 2022, however it is suspended until he returns from retirement.

University student Donovan Burgmaier’s American Football career is probably over, due to two cases involving the same substance. The University of Alberta Golden Bears player returned an AAF for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT) on 30 October 2021. However in what the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) describes as a ‘separate matter’, Burgmaier admitted to use of DHCMT whilst playing for the Edmonton Huskies in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) in 2016 and 2017.

The CCES was prepared to treat the two cases as a single first violation and to allow a one year reduction to his sanction if he accepted the charges within 20 days. However, unfortunately for Burgmaier, it ruled that two three year sanctions should be served consecutively.

‘In accordance with Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) rule 10.9.3.2, the now-confirmed Presence violation and Mr. Burgmaier’s prior Use violation (involving the same anabolic agent) are to be treated as a single first violation and the related sanctions will be served consecutively’, reads a statement. ‘As a result, the sanction for this Presence violation will begin following the completion of the sanction for the Use violation and will end no earlier than January 24, 2028’.

Please continue to send any cases we may have missed or suggestions through to our editor by clicking here. Also, if you’re an athlete, national anti-doping organisation (NADO) or other Results Management Authority and you’d like us to cover a case that you’re involved with, please get in touch! Also – a reminder. The SII Anti-Doping Monitor only features confirmed AAFs (‘positive tests’) or confirmed anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs).