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19 March 2025
On 5 July 2023, the ITA, on behalf of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), notified the athletes that samples collected from them by the ITA during in-competition anti-doping controls on 19 April 2023 at the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships had returned adverse analytical findings ¹ for Ostarine, a non-specified prohibited substance under the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Both athletes were provisionally suspended with immediate effect.
Ostarine is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as an anabolic agent (S1.2). It is prohibited at all times (in-competition and out-of-competition).
Following the results management process conducted by the ITA, the ITA submitted the matter for adjudication to CAS ADD. A hearing took place on 29 January 2025 in which the ITA represented the IWF.
After hearing the parties and considering the written submissions and evidence, on 13 March 2025, CAS ADD found that the athletes had committed ADRVs for the presence and use of a prohibited substance in accordance with Articles 2.1/2.2 of the IWF anti-doping rules (IWF ADR).
As a result, CAS ADD has imposed a four-year period of ineligibility on Goran Ćetković and Tia Sarah Tovarlaža from 5 July 2023 to 4 July 2027. Additionally, all results obtained by the athletes from 19 April 2023 onwards, including at the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships, have been disqualified.
Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the decisions before the appeal division of CAS in accordance with article 13.3.2 of the IWF ADR.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ 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.
