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26 June 2025
The ITA reports that softball player Ben Kantor has agreed¹ to the consequences for his anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).
Ben Kantor provided a sample under the testing authority of WBSC during an unannouced in-competiton doping control performed on 14 July 2024 during the 2024 Men’s Softball World Cup Group A, Prince Albert, Canada, which yielded an adverse analytical finding² (AAF) for clostebol, testosterone, metenolone, methasterone and oxymetholone.
These substances are listed under class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) according to the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). They are prohibited at all times (in and out of competition) and are classified as non-specified substances. These substances have potent muscle-building and strength-increasing properties.
The athlete did not challenge the ADRV and agreed with the consequences proposed by the ITA. Accordingly, the case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences.
Due to his early admission of the anti-doping rule violation, the athlete was entitled to a one-year reduction of the otherwise four-year period of ineligibility usually imposed for an ADRV for the presence of the prohibited substances as set forth in article 10.8.1 of the WBSC anti-doping rules.³
The athlete’s period of ineligibility is from 23 August 2024 until 22 August 2027. In addition, all the athlete’s individual competitive results from 14 July 2024 to the start of the period of ineligibility are disqualified.
The decision may be challenged before the appeal division of the Court of Arbitration of Sport by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the WBSC anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ Athletes have the right to choose not to have their case referred to a hearing panel. In these instances, the anti-doping organisation will assess the athlete’s case file and establish the applicable consequences pursuant to the anti-doping rules and the athlete will have the right to accept the proposed consequences. If the athlete refuses the proposed consequences, the case is transferred to a hearing panel. This resolution mechanism is provided for in articles 8.3.1 of the WBSC anti-doping rules and 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code and is commonly referred to as an agreement on consequences and is deemed an WBSC/ITA decision.
² A report from a WADA-accredited laboratory that, consistent with the International Standard for Laboratories, establishes in a sample the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers or evidence of the use of a prohibited method.
³ Article 10.8.1 of the WBSC ADR (and World Anti-Doping Code) provides for a one-year reduction for certain ADRVs based on early admission and acceptance of sanction. This applies where an athlete after being notified by WBSC/ITA of a potential ADRV that carries an asserted period of Ineligibility of four (4) or more years, admits the violation and accepts the asserted period of Ineligibility no later than twenty (20) days after receiving notice of an ADRV charge. Where the athlete receives the one-year reduction under Article 10.8.1, no further reduction in the period of Ineligibility is allowed.
