The case centers on Fatma Omar, an Egyptian Paralympic powerlifter, who contested a decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after testing positive for clomiphene, a prohibited substance, during the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai. Omar did not declare any medication use or possess a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). The IPC Anti-Doping Committee imposed a two-year ineligibility period, disqualification of her results, and a €1,500 fine, a decision upheld by the IPC Governing Board in November 2014. Omar appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), initially submitting documents in French, though the IPC objected, citing English as the official language per its constitution. The CAS President ruled that proceedings would be conducted in English, with translations only if ordered by the Panel. The case was assigned to a three-member Panel, with deadlines set for submissions, though logistical delays, including a strike in Tunisia, prolonged the process.
During a hearing on 30 April 2015, the parties reached a settlement agreement, reducing Omar’s suspension to one year, ending on 15 May 2015, while upholding the rest of the IPC’s decision. The agreement included confidentiality until the final consent award was issued, with each party covering its own legal costs. The parties requested the Panel to ratify the settlement and incorporate it into a consent award. The Panel verified the agreement’s legitimacy, ensuring compliance with public policy and applicable laws, and found no grounds for objection. The CAS confirmed its jurisdiction based on the IPC Code and the parties’ agreement in the Order of Procedure, emphasizing the settlement as a bona fide resolution. The Panel issued a consent award to formalize the agreement, terminating the arbitration and binding both parties to the terms. All other motions were dismissed, concluding the case based on mutual consent and adherence to legal principles. The outcome highlights the CAS’s role in mediating disputes and ensuring fair arbitration while upholding anti-doping regulations.