The ITA notifies Brazilian rider Rodolpho Riskalla of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The ITA reports that a sample collected during an in-competition testing mission in the scope of the Para Grand Prix Freestyle – Grade IV Al Shaqab, held in Doha, Qatar, on 25 February 2023 from Rodolpho Riskalla, a rider from Brazil, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the prohibited substance “SARMS LGD-4033 (ligandrol)”.

SARMS LGD-4033 (ligandrol) is prohibited under the 2023 WADA Prohibited list as anabolic agent (S1.2). It is prohibited at all times and considering that it is a non-specified substance a provisional suspension is mandatory under the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for human athletes.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

Pursuant to the FEI’s delegation of its anti-doping program for human athletes to the ITA, including the independent management of results, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

Update on the case 12 June 2023

Following a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD), which was requested by Rodolpho Riskalla to review the imposition of the mandatory provisional suspension imposed against the athlete in compliance with the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (“FEI ADRHA”), the CAS ADD has ordered the lifting of the provisional suspension pending the resolution of the matter.

The athlete was able to demonstrate that the presence of ligandrol detected in one of his samples was likely due to a contaminated product. In accordance with the FEI ADRHA and the World Anti-Doping Code, this constitutes a valid ground to lift the otherwise mandatory provisional suspension. The athlete is thus free to resume competition with immediate effect and the proceedings to determine the applicable consequences for his ADRV are underway. There will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

Update on the case 11 July 2023

The case was resolved via an agreement on consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 of the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (FEI ADRHA), and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code. The athlete qualified for a reduction of the otherwise four-year period ineligibility pursuant to article 10.6.1.2 of the FEI ADRHA which applies when an athlete is able to establish that the detected prohibited substance came from a contaminated product. The athlete was sanctioned with a 13-month ineligibility period which started on 10 July 2023 and which will remain in full force and effect until 29 May 2024 (the provisional suspension served by the athlete was credited against the imposed ineligibility period).

The athlete’s results have been also disqualified from 25 February 2023 until the start of the athlete’s provisional suspension on 30 March 2023, including the results obtained during the 2023 Para Grand Prix Freestyle, Al Shaqab, Doha in accordance with Articles 9 and 10.10 of the FEI ADRHA.