The case involves the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Russian athlete Albina Mayorova, who was found guilty of an anti-doping rule violation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 21 April 2017. The dispute centered on the presence of exogenous testosterone, a prohibited substance, in two samples provided by Mayorova during out-of-competition tests in March and May 2016. The IAAF initiated proceedings after the Russian Federation was suspended in November 2015, leaving no national entity to handle doping cases. Under IAAF Rule 38.3, the case was referred directly to CAS for a first-instance hearing, treated as ordinary arbitration but following appeal arbitration procedures without time limits for appeal.
The first adverse analytical finding (AAF) was reported on 21 June 2016, followed by a second AAF on 14 September 2016. Mayorova accepted a provisional suspension but contested the results, citing medical treatments from 2015 as a potential explanation. The IAAF rejected her explanation, stating the medications listed did not contain the prohibited substance. The CAS ruled that since the second AAF occurred before Mayorova was notified of the first, both violations should be treated as a single first violation, with the sanction based on the more severe offense. Mayorova failed to provide a credible explanation for the presence of testosterone, leading the CAS to conclude the violation was intentional. Under IAAF Anti-Doping Rules, this resulted in a standard four-year ineligibility period.
The case highlighted procedural nuances when a national federation is suspended, the distinction between first and second violations, and the importance of timely notification in determining sanctions. The decision reinforced the strict liability principle in anti-doping regulations, holding athletes accountable for prohibited substances in their systems regardless of intent. The CAS upheld the IAAF's position, imposing a four-year ban on Mayorova, effective from 28 June 2016, the date she accepted a provisional suspension. All competitive results obtained by Mayorova from 14 March 2016 through 28 June 2016 were disqualified, including forfeiting any titles, awards, medals, points, prize money, and appearance fees earned during that period.
The Sole Arbitrator dismissed other requests for relief, including allegations of attempted use of a prohibited substance. The ruling underscored the IAAF's commitment to enforcing anti-doping rules and maintaining the integrity of the sport. Mayorova's lack of engagement in the proceedings and failure to substantiate her claims further reinforced the case for a strict penalty. The decision serves as a reminder of the stringent standards applied in anti-doping cases and the consequences of failing to meet them.