The case involves Silvia Danekova, an athlete who competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation. On August 1, 2016, Danekova underwent an out-of-competition doping control, with her blood and urine samples testing positive for methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (CERA), a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. The B samples confirmed the initial findings, leading the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to notify Danekova of the violation on August 8, 2016. The IOC filed an application with the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD), asserting that the presence of CERA constituted a violation under Article 2.1 of the IOC Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). The IOC sought sanctions including disqualification of her Olympic results, ineligibility for further competition at the Rio Games, withdrawal of her accreditation, and referral to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for additional sanctions.
Danekova did not dispute the A sample results but claimed she had never intentionally used prohibited substances. She attributed the presence of CERA to medical treatment she received for a tonsillar abscess and anemia, which included glucose, iron, vitamin C, and riboxin. However, she provided no substantial evidence to support her claims or explain the presence of the prohibited substance. The CAS ADD panel, composed of Justice Hugh Fraser, Prof. Michael Geistlinger, and Mr. Efraim Barak, imposed a provisional suspension on August 10, 2016. Danekova waived her right to a hearing, and the panel confirmed its jurisdiction under the Olympic Charter and IOC ADR. The panel concluded that the IOC had met its burden of proof, establishing the violation under the strict liability principle, which holds athletes responsible for any prohibited substances in their samples regardless of intent.
The panel ruled that Danekova would be declared ineligible to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympics, excluded from the event, and have her accreditation withdrawn. Further sanctions were referred to the IAAF. The decision underscored the importance of maintaining fair competition and upholding anti-doping standards, highlighting the automatic publication of sanctions as a mandatory measure under the IOC ADR. The case demonstrates the rigorous enforcement of anti-doping rules to preserve integrity in sports, with the ruling being final and binding. The consequences included Danekova’s disqualification from the Rio Games and potential ineligibility from future competitions, emphasizing the strict liability principle and the severe repercussions of anti-doping violations.