Iuniarra cleared of drug allegations

By Deidre Fanene 04 April 2018, 12:00AM

It’s official.

Weightlifter, Iuniarra Sipaia, has been cleared of all allegations of using triamcinolone acetonide.

This was confirmed by the President and Head Coach of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork yesterday.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer from the Gold Coast, Australia, Tuaopepe said he is ecstatic.

“I thought I would send you this good news first,” he said.  

 “I am ecstatic. We are so happy and very thankful."

“The truth has come out and as we stated over the past months, we have done nothing wrong."

“We thank the Lord for guiding us during this time of hardship."

“We also thank the International Weightlifting Federation for investigating further into the issue and have come back with a clear approval.”

Attempt to get a comment from Ms. Sipaia was unsuccessful.

“Can we do it tomorrow (today),” she told the Samoa Observer.

“I’m actually in bed very sick, but I will make time tomorrow for an interview.”

The Copy of the letter"

To: Weightlifting Federation of Samoa Athlete: 

Ms. Iuniarra Sipaia Date: 03/04/2018 

 

I.W.F. Decision 

Dear President/General Secretary, Dear Ms. Sipaia, 

 

This is to inform you about the decision of the I.W.F. in the case of 

Ms. Iuniarra SIPAIA 

Representing the Weightlifting Federation of Samoa. 

The Athlete’s urine sample was collected on 19th March 2017 during an In-Competition sample collection carried out by the International Weightlifting Federation in Melbourne, Australia. (Annex 1 – Doping Control Form) 

According to the analysis report triamcinolone acetonide (S9. Glucocorticoids) was detected in the Athlete’s urine sample (sample no. 125 29 17) by the WADA Accredited Laboratory of Sydney. (Annex 2 – Analysis Report A 125 29 17). 

As per the 2017 Prohibited List Glucocorticoids are prohibited In-Competition when administered by oral, intravenous, intramuscular, or rectal routes.

 I.W.F. requested the Athlete to submit a written explanation of the circumstances of her case, any information related to the possible route of administration of the substance in particular. (Annex 3 - I.W.F. Notification) 

The Athlete responded within the deadline set by I.W.F. and submitted the following (Annex 4 – Submissions of the Athlete): 

• The Weightlifting Federation of Samoa and the Athlete have limited resources and it could therefore be difficult to acquire any performance enhancing substances; • further to I.W.F.’s notification the Athlete consulted her doctor and was told that he had injected the medication named Kenacort due to the severe knee pain the Athlete had experienced. In his statement attached to the Athlete’s submissions, the doctor admitted that even though he was aware that the medication contained triamciniline acetonide, he did not know that the substance was included in the 2017 Prohibited List. 

• The Athlete also submitted that the medication was not administered by oral, intravenous, intramuscular or rectal routes but was injected directly to the affected area in the Athlete’s knee; 1146 Budapest, Istvánmezei út 1-3. Hungary | Tel: +36-1-353-0530 | Fax: +36-1-353-0199 | [email protected] facebook.com/iwfnet | twitter.com/iwfnet | instagram.com/iwfnet | youtube.com/iwfmedia Bank Account: I.W.F. HU06 1176 4056 2482 4019 0000 0000 – OTP, National Savings Bank, Nádor u. 6, 1876 Budapest, Hungary 

• the analysis of the B sample was also requested (Annex 5 – Analysis Report B 125 29 17); 

•  Further to I.W.F.’s request for clarification, the Athlete explained that 2 mls of Kenacort was administered to the Athlete on 16 March 2017, the strength being 80mg. 

Based on the information received from the WADA Accredited Laboratory of Sydney and I.W.F.’s consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency I.W.F. considers the Athlete’s explanations consistent.

I.W.F. consequently accepts that the route of administration of the substance was not oral, intravenous, intramuscular or rectal. 

In view of the above I.W.F. concludes that no Anti-Doping Rule Violation was committed by the Athlete.

Ms. Sipaia is therefore considered eligible. 

In the meantime the Athlete is strongly requested to disclose all medications, vitamins and supplements on the Doping Control Form as requested by the relevant Sample Collection Authority. 

We wish to remind you that it is the Athlete’s personal duty to ensure that no prohibited substance enters her body. 

Therefore we encourage Ms. Sipaia to regularly consult the Prohibited List and the Anti-Doping section of the I.W.F. website. 

The Weightlifting Federation of Samoa shall also make its best efforts to provide all its affiliated Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel with proper Anti-Doping education. 

Should you have any queries related to medications please contact [email protected] without hesitation.

Please contact us in case you have any questions. 

 

Yours sincerely, 

 

Dr. Eva Nyirfa I.W.F. Legal Counsel


By Deidre Fanene 04 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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