News: Media Release - 3 July 2008 - Driver sanctioned

CAMS issues one year sanction to race driver for use of diuretics

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) to hand down a one year sanction to Tasmanian racing driver Lewis Bush for the presence of banned substances.

Mr Bush was using Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene, both banned diuretics without an appropriate Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in place.

The substances were detected in an in-competition sample collected by ASADA at Sandown Racing Circuit on 10 November 2007.

While there are legitimate medical uses for diuretics, they can also be used as masking agents for other prohibited substances and as such are banned under the WADA Code.

The CAMS Tribunal considered the facts of the case and found while Mr Bush was guilty of having banned substances in his sample, he was able to demonstrate no significant fault or negligence in the case and thereby was handed a reduced sanction.

This case is a further reminder to athletes to be mindful of the status of their medications under the WADA Code and to always get their doctor to check whether a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is required.

To assist athletes, ASADA distributes Pure Performance Information Cards (downloadable at www.asada.gov.au/resources/publications/index.htm) which list all the prohibited substances under the Code plus instructions on obtaining TUE’s.

ASADA has distributed over 4000 of these information cards to athletes and their support personnel so far in 2008.

ASADA advises athletes to show their doctor or pharmacist the Pure Performance Information Card prior to receiving any medications.

Any athlete unaware of their responsibilities are also advised to seek additional information online at www.asada.gov.au or to call the ASADA Anti-Doping Hotline on 1800 020 506 for more information.

The sanction, which was backdated to the day the sample was collected means Mr Bush will not be eligible to recommence competition until 10 November 2008.

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This page last updated Tuesday, January 22, 2008

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