Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of Rugby Australia to impose a one-month ban on athlete Max Girdler for the presence of a prohibited substance and its metabolite.
Mr Girdler, a rugby union player for Warringah Rugby Club, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an in-competition doping control test after a Rugby Union Shute Shield match on 5 June 2021.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Cocaine and its metabolite Benzoylecgonine.
Rugby Australia imposed a one-month ban on Mr Girdler commencing on 23 July 2021, consistent with Article 10.2.4.1 of the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code (Substances of Abuse).
Mr Girdler was ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 23 August 2021.
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 euphoria, 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.
