IPC refers Cuban Yonaldy Gonzalez anti-doping case to IBSA

IPC refers Cuban Mijarez anti-doping case to IBSA. GETTY IMAGES

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has referred an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) case involving Cuban Para Judoka Yonaldy Gonzalez Miyares in connection with the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games to the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA).

As the main organiser of the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, the IPC was responsible for the Games' Testing Programme. Mjijarez returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for a Prohibited Substance in an Out-of-Competition urine Sample collected on 16 November 2023 as part of the pre-Games Testing Programme.

The Prohibited Substance was Dorzolamide, which is included in the 2023 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List under Class S5 - Diuretics and Masking Agents. He stated that he had not intentionally taken Dorzolamide and identified the source of the AAF as accidental ingestion through contact with a family member who had taken Dorzolamide for medical reasons.

The administration of Dorzolamide by any non-permitted route (including the one identified by the athlete) is considered as an anti-doping rule violation under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). The IPC has now referred the case to IBSA, the International Para Judo Federation, to determine any further applicable consequences for the athlete, including a period of ineligibility.

The case of Yonaldy Gonzalez has been referred to the International Blind Sports Association. FACEBOOK

The athlete's individual results obtained at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games will be disqualified, with all resulting consequences, unless the athlete establishes that he or she was not at fault or negligent on behalf of the ADRV. Each athlete is fully responsible for the substances found in his/her sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a Prohibited Substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in the athlete's sample.

At the 2023 Parapan Games in Santiago de Chile, Yonaldy Gonzalez defeated Chile's Yohann Herrera and Venezuela's Marcos Blanco before losing to Brazil's Elielton Lira in the semi-finals and Mexico's Bryan Aburto for the bronze medal.

As a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sport environment and has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in accordance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, and expects to be a leader in the fight against doping in sport for impaired athletes.