19/01/2011 – The Disciplinary Commission Anti-Doping (DOG) under the chairmanship of Public Prosecutor Hans-Philipp H??GER from Bad Kreuznach confirmed the decision made by the Executive Board of the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) in the OVTC https://www.ettu.org
19/01/2011 – The Disciplinary Commission Anti-Doping (DOG) under the chairmanship of Public Prosecutor Hans-Philipp H??GER from Bad Kreuznach confirmed the decision made by the Executive Board of the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) in the OVTCHAROV case: after intense examination of the affair the Commission found no evidence for a culpable violation of the Anti Doping Rules through the 22 year old player who is ranked No. 12 in the current World Ranking List and will not suspend him. OVTCHAROV’S urine sample had been tested positively for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol on August 23 2010.
In its reasoning the Commission agrees with the DTTB that “no guilt” of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was discovered in accordance with article 10.5.1 of the Anti Doping Rules (ADO). “The athlete has convinced the DOG that the substance in all probability entered his body without his knowledge through food intake” as stated in the reasoning of the decision during his stay in China or the trips to and from there between August 16 and 22.” Experts SCH?ER and THIEME: “Contaminated food is the most probable explanation of the test result.”
The DOG also considered the four additional analyses from other DTTB athletes who had participated at the Pro Tour Event in China last August; their urine samples – in a separate test – also showed traces of Clenbuterol but in an even smaller quantity. Apart from this the Commission’s decision is based on the negative result of OVTCHAROV’S hair sample test which proves that he did not use anything containing Clenbuterol over a longer period of time or intensively.
DOG refers – as the DTTB Executive Board beforehand – to the assessment of the National Anti Doping experts Professor Dr. Wilhelm SCH?ER (Head of the Institute of Biochemistry (IOC/WADA accredited Anti-Doping Laboratory) at the German Sport University Cologne) and Dr. Detlef THIEME Director Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry in Kreischa near Dresden that the intake of Clenbuterol as a therapeutic amount would have led to much higher test results; furthermore the known side effects such as trembling/shaking dizziness and sick feeling would be absolutely counterproductive for a table tennis player.
In its decision DOG quotes the assessment by Professor SCH?ER from October 13 2010: “Due to the fact that many reports in the last few years were published regarding the illegal use of Clenbuterol for cattle feed in China the most probable explanation for the positive test result is in my view an intake of Clenbuterol in low quantities through contaminated food.”
WEIKERT stated that he was “Pleased about confirmation of our decision by an independent Disciplinary Commission.” “Following the thorough analysis of this case by the DTTB Executive Board including the opinions of leading German Anti Doping Experts last year we felt sure that other authorities too would not reach any other interpretation” said DTTB President Thomas WEIKERT. “However we are happy of course that the independent Disciplinary Commission has confirmed our decision.“
Against this decision of the Disciplinary Commission Anti Doping the World Anti Doping Agency the National Anti Doping Agency Germany and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) now have the right to appeal within 3 weeks after receiving the complete file. The relevant Court of Appeal is the International Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS in Lausanne.
(By Simone HINZ courtesy of DTTB)
Photo: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV
