Olympic Games Paris 2024 – equestrian athlete Domien Michiels accepts disqualification for anti-doping rule violation

Domien Michiels provided a sample during an in-competition anti-doping control on 3 August 2024 in Paris, France, conducted  by the ITA under the testing authority and results management authority of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The sample was analysed by the WADA-accredited laboratory of Paris which reported an adverse analytical finding¹ for the specified prohibited substance dorzolamide.

Dorzolamide is listed under class S5. diuretics and masking agents according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is banned at all times. However, the topical ophthalmic administration (direct application to the eyes) of dorzolamide is considered as a permitted route and does not amount to an ADRV. All other routes of administration of dorzolamide (such as oral, topical, transdermal etc) constitute an ADRV.

Mr. Michiels was not subject to a mandatory provisional suspension since the prohibited substance detected in his sample was a specified substance². Accordingly, pursuant to the ITA’s Public Disclosure Policy with regards to Anti-Doping Rule Violations

the case was not publicly reported pending the conclusion of its results management.

Over the course of the proceedings, the athlete was able to establish that dorzolamide entered his body inadvertently when he administered eye drops containing dorzolamide to his dog to treat the dog’s illness. Considering that dorzolamide did not enter the athlete’s system through topical ophthalmic route exclusively and in light of the principle of “strict liability”, the presence of dorzolamide in his sample constitutes an ADRV.

The athlete was however able to establish that he bore “No Fault or Negligence”³ for the ADRV. The only consequence of his ADRV under the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is the disqualification of the athlete’s individual competitive results at the Dressage Team Grand Prix event on 3 August 2024 at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The results of the Belgium Team in the Dressage Team Grand Prix on 3 August 2024 are not to be disqualified.

The athlete accepted the disqualification of his results, and the matter is considered as concluded from the perspective of the IOC. Considering the finding of “No Fault or Negligence”, which provides that there is no period of ineligibility to serve, there are no further consequences under the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for human athletes.

Relevant Anti-Doping Organisations, such as WADA and the Athlete’s National Anti-Doping Organisation, have a right of appeal against the ITA’s decision.

There will be no further comments on this case.