The case involves Russian hammer thrower Gulfiya Agafonova Khanafeeva, who was found guilty of multiple anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The violations stemmed from retesting of her sample from the 2012 London Olympics, which revealed the presence of prohibited substances, including dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT) and Oxandrolone. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) brought the case against the Russian Athletics Federation (RUSAF) and the athlete, citing evidence from the McLaren Reports, which detailed a state-sponsored doping system in Russia. The reports revealed systematic manipulation of doping samples involving the Moscow and Sochi Laboratories, the Russian Ministry of Sport, and the Federal Security Service, including a "washout testing" program to ensure doped athletes tested clean during major events.
The CAS panel, led by sole arbitrator Jacques Radoux, emphasized the challenges sports bodies face in proving doping violations due to their limited investigative powers. The panel relied on consensual evidence and public domain information, applying a standard of proof akin to "beyond reasonable doubt." The athlete denied the allegations, claiming faulty detection methods and lack of involvement in any doping scheme. However, the panel found her explanations insufficient, particularly given the corroborating evidence from the McLaren Reports and the London Washout Schedule, which linked her to multiple samples containing prohibited substances.
The violations included a presence violation (from the retested sample) and a use violation (based on broader evidence). Under the applicable rules, each violation would normally incur a four-year ban if unintentional. However, since the violations were deemed intentional and this was the athlete’s second offense (following a prior suspension in 2008), the panel applied the principle of lex mitior, resulting in an eight-year sanction. The panel also considered proportionality, limiting the disqualification of her competitive results to two years after the last proven violation, from July 15, 2012, to August 6, 2014, rather than the full period until her provisional suspension in 2017.
The final ruling imposed an eight-year ineligibility period starting from January 6, 2017, and disqualified all her results during the specified period, including forfeiture of titles, medals, and prizes. The case highlights the complexities of anti-doping enforcement, the reliance on credible evidence in systemic doping cases, and the balance between rigorous rule enforcement and fairness in sanctions. The decision underscores the consequences of repeated violations and the importance of maintaining integrity in sports.