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Athlete Dopes Via Artificial Pitch?
26 Nov
Summary
- Player tested positive for banned stimulant DMBA from artificial pitch rubber.
- Environmental exposure, not athlete's fault, confirmed after seven-month case.
- Vålerenga urges stronger anti-doping rules for environmental contamination.
A Vålerenga player faced a seven-month anti-doping saga after testing positive for the banned stimulant DMBA, only for the source to be traced to the rubber crumb infill of an artificial pitch. Anti-Doping Norway ruled the player faultless, marking the first known case in elite sport where environmental exposure caused a doping violation.
Vålerenga, the player's club, is now advocating for enhanced anti-doping regulations. The club's CEO emphasized the need for a holistic approach to environmental factors that could lead to positive tests, especially as the strict liability rules in anti-doping codes do not account for such external contamination.
The incident occurred during a match at LSK-Hall near Oslo, with four players from each team initially showing traces of DMBA. While the substance is banned, the player expressed relief at being exonerated but highlighted the vulnerability of athletes under current rules, calling for stronger legal protections.
