SAIDS expresses ‘deep concern’ over multiple steroid use by 15-year-old schoolboy

The South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has expressed its deep concern over a multiple steroid test result from a 15-year-old schoolboy.

On their official website, SAIDS confirmed that earlier this year it charged a minor athlete (under 18) for a doping offence after his urine sample tested positive for the presence of multiple Anabolic Agents; LGD-4033, RAD140 and Enobosarm (Ostarine).

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These substances are ‘selective androgen receptor modulators’, that fall under Section S1 (Anabolic Agents) of the WADA Prohibited List (2020, currently in force).

That is to say they are prohibited in-and-out of competition.  

These substances have not yet been approved for human use and as such are not available as a prescription medication on the SA market (as is also the case in the majority of countries globally).

The athlete did not identify the source of how the anabolic agents came into his system and further denied all intentions to cheat or enhance his performance. 

Nonetheless, an Independent Doping Tribunal Panel was left with no option but to apply the full sanction outlined in the Anti-Doping Rules for such an offence. 

As a result, the Panel handed down a four-year ban to the minor.

‘ALARMING’ TEST RESULT

The chairperson appointed to adjudicate this case was quoted from the written decision to state that “The combination of 3 non-specified prohibited substances in a 15-year-old schoolboy is alarming. It is most improbable that these 3 related but compatible banned substances appear naturally or by contamination in the urine sample of any athlete. The probabilities are overwhelmingly in favour of these 3 prohibited substances being ingested in a stacked form. This suggests a level of sophistication that is, in our view, far beyond the capabilities of a 15-year-old schoolboy”. 

SAIDS has noted the recommendation in the decision of the tribunal panel, to report this matter to the headmaster of the high school, the Minister of Basic Education, SAPS and the South African Child Welfare Services.

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