With Help of Clever Consult, Two Athletes Manage to Avoid Four-Year Ban

Recently, RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee (DAC RUSADA) conducted two hearings to address cases of anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) involving athletes classified as protected persons. 

Both of our clients were charged with breaking Russian Anti-Doping Rules, specifically Articles 4.1 and 4.2 (“Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”, “Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method”, respectively), which could potentially result in a suspension of up to four years. (The Valieva case exemplifies that the athlete's status as a minor does not automatically serve as a direct proof of their innocence or even as a sole justification for a reduced sanction).

Thanks to the efforts of our legal team, sanctions were substantially decreased, in both cases. The athletes received bans of 6 and 9 months each, instead of being suspended for 4 years. The provisional suspension was credited against the period of ineligibility, that is, the duration of the ban was lessened by the time the athletes were under provisional suspension.

Given the circumstances, our lawyers have gone above and beyond to safeguard the athletes' rights. Thanks to the consistent and verified positions on all crucial issues articulated during the hearings, the suspension was mitigated to a mere few months instead of several years. We are pleased that one of the athletes was back in competition right after the hearing, while the other is set to do so in September this year.

We send our best wishes for their continued success and accomplishments in the world of sports!