ASADA today confirmed media reports that Australian boxer Bianca Elmir tested positive to the presence of diuretics in her urine sample, which was collected at the Australian Boxing Championships in Hobart on 4 February 2012.

These diuretics, Furosemide and Amiloride are listed as Prohibited Substances both in-competition and out-of-competition, on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List (2012).

After investigating the matter in accordance with the process set out in legislation, ASADA referred this matter to the independent Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel (ADRVP).

On 1 May 2012 the ADRVP found there were possible anti-doping rule violations.

The athlete was advised in writing of the ADRVP finding that same day. The correspondence advised the athlete of her appeal rights.

Boxing Australia, after consulting with ASADA, provisionally suspended the athlete on 7 May 2012 to uphold the integrity of boxing, the World Championships and the Australian Olympic Team.

The athlete appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the provisional suspension; CAS heard the appeal on 9 May 2012.

The decision to uphold the provisional suspension was handed down on 10 May 2012.

ASADA can’t provide further details about the athlete’s case as this could prejudice the full CAS hearing, which is yet to occur. In dealing with this matter, ASADA has followed all the legislative rules and procedures set out by the National Anti-Doping Scheme.

The Australian Rugby Union’s (ARU) decision to impose a two-year ban on amateur rugby player Mitchell Spackman for the attempted use of growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP-6) was today acknowledged by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service seized a package at the Sydney International Mail Gateway Facility on 4 March 2010 and notified ASADA.

Following an investigation by ASADA, the matter was referred to the ARU as a potential violation of its anti-doping code.

Mr Spackman’s ban, which was backdated to the date of his provisional suspension, means he is ineligible to participate as an athlete or support person until 1 December 2013 in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Agency compliant anti-doping policy.

GHRP-6 is not approved for human use in Australia. Anyone considering the use of this substance should be aware that it may involve potentially serious health consequences.

Possession, use or attempted use by athletes of this substance is also prohibited at all times under the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). Penalties for breaching the Code can potentially include a lifetime ban for second offences.

GHRP-6 stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete an increased amount of growth hormone following intake. A main role of growth hormone is to stimulate the protein, insulin-like growth factor 1 (known as IGF-1), which can promote bone, muscle and organ growth.

Any athlete unaware of their responsibilities are advised to seek additional information online at www.asada.gov.au.

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Media note: The Code categorises GHRP-6 under ‘S2: peptide hormones, growth factors and
related substances’.

The decision by the Queensland Rugby League’s (QRL) Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose a two-year ban on regional rugby league player Josh Earl for refusing to submit to in-competition testing was today acknowledged by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

On 11 September 2011, Mr Earl refused to submit to sample collection after receiving official notification at the QRL Northern Division Grand Final between Moranbah Miners and Southern Suburbs.

All athletes must comply with a request by ASADA to provide a sample. Athletes are warned that a refusal to submit to sample collection after being notified of the obligation to do so may result in an anti-doping rule violation being declared against them.

Mr Earl’s two-year ban means he will be ineligible to participate as an athlete or support person in sport until 23 February 2014.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code’s mutual recognition obligations, an anti-doping rule violation involving an athlete or support person applies across all other sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Agency compliant anti-doping policy.

Any athlete unaware of their responsibilities are advised to seek additional information online at www.asada.gov.au.

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