Back
19 June 2025
The ITA, on behalf of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), confirms that the athlete Francisca Dias Laia has agreed¹ to the consequences imposed for her anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) under article 2.1 and article 2.2 of the ICF anti-doping rules (ICF ADR).
A sample collected from the athlete on 25 August 2024 during the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships returned an adverse analytical finding² for the prohibited substance DHCMT.
DHCMT 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. DHCMT is a synthetic drug that mimics the activity of testosterone in the body and enhances muscle growth and strength.
On 26 September 2024, when notified about the case, the athlete was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.
Following the results management process, the athlete did not to challenge her ADRV and agreed with the consequences that apply, namely a period of ineligibility of four years from 30 May 2025 until 29 May 2029, the disqualification of her competitive results from 25 August 2024 onwards and the disqualification of her individual results at the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Accordingly, the case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences.
The consequences imposed are subject to appeal before the Appeals Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the ICF ADR.
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 ICF 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 ICF/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 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.
