Equestrian athlete Jamie Kermond has received a two-year ban for the presence of Benzoylecgonine and use of Cocaine.
Mr Kermond returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an in-competition doping control test on 26 June 2021.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of Cocaine.
Although the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code introduced more lenient sanctions for some illicit drug use outside of competition, in Mr Kermond’s matter it was determined that he used cocaine during the in-competition period, on and/or between 24 June 2021 and 26 June 2021.
In the sport of Equestrian the in-competition period starts from when an athlete checks in their horse the day before the competition through to the end of the last competition at the event for that athlete.
As such, Equestrian Australia imposed a two-year ban on Mr Kermond commencing on 26 June 2021.
Mr Kermond is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 26 June 2023.
Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe said the case was a stark reminder to all athletes about the risk of illicit drugs.
“Illegal drugs have no place in an athlete’s life – their use leaves athletes vulnerable to anti-doping violations, health risks, criminal charges and exposes them to the threat of blackmail which increases their risk of being approached for match-fixing,” Mr Sharpe said.
“There is simply no room for these drugs in sport.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
Cocaine is classed as an S6 stimulant on the Prohibited List and is prohibited in-competition. It is also classed as a Substance of Abuse under the Prohibited List.
Generally, cocaine produces an intense ‘rush’ with users feeling a sense of alertness, arousal, and increased confidence. Many users find the drug addictive and may face a number of short and long term health problems including an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, kidney failure, and seizures or stroke.
