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2 July 2026
The ITA, on behalf of WA, confirms that the athlete Mariana Bernal Sanchez has agreed¹ to the consequences imposed for her anti-doping rule violation (“ADRV”).
The athlete tested positive for the prohibited substance nandrolone after providing a sample on 29 September 2025 during an out-of-competition doping control conducted by the ITA.
Nandrolone is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is classified as a non-specified substance. Nandrolone can be used by athletes to promote tissue growth and enhance protein synthesis, leading to increased muscle mass, strength, and recovery capacity.
The athlete did not challenge her ADRV and agreed with the consequences for her ADRV under the WA anti-doping rules as proposed by the ITA. Accordingly, the case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences.
Due to her early admission of the ADRV, the athlete was entitled to a one-year reduction of the applicable period of ineligibility as set forth in article 10.8.1 of the WA anti-doping rules.²
The 3-year period of ineligibility is from 22 December 2025 until 21 December 2028. Additionally, all the athlete’s individual competitive results from the date of sample collection (29 September 2025) until the start date of the provisional suspension (22 December 2025) are disqualified.
The decision may be challenged before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the WA 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 and 8.3.3 of the WA 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 WA/ITA decision. The athlete’s National Anti-Doping Organisation and the World Anti-Doping Agency have the right to appeal the agreement on consequences before the competent appeal body.
² Article 10.8.1 of the WA anti-doping rules (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 WA/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, of the WA anti-doping rules no further reduction in the period of Ineligibility is allowed.
