Cycling South Africa reports that Timothy Abbot has returned an adverse analytical finding from an in-competition test conducted by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) on 26 December 2015. The analytical report received from the Laboratory confirmed the presence of 5alpha-androstane-3-alpha,17beta-diol (5alphaAdiol) and 5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (5betaAdiol) in his urine sample.
Further to the hearing which took place on the 23 February 2017, Mr. Abbot was found guilty under article 2.1 of the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport Anti Doping Rules 2015 relating to the presence of prohibited substances in his sample. The sanction was a period of ineligibility of Four (4) Years.
Mr. Abbot subsequently lodged a notice of appeal on 17 March 2017 in respect of the guilty decision handed down by the SAIDS Independent Doping Hearing Panel. The appeal which was heard by the Appeal Board Tribunal on 2 October 2017 was dismissed.
The guilty verdict and the imposition of the original period of ineligibility of Four (4) Years therefore remain. Accordingly, Mr. Abbot is prohibited from competing and administering in the sport of Cycling as well as in any other sport in South Africa and Internationally from 26 December 2015 until and including the 25 December 2019. Mr. Abbot has the right to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Cycling South Africa respects the independence of the SAIDS process and will respect the outcome. Cycling SA further reiterates its zero-tolerance approach to doping in sport and will continue working with SAIDS in the promotion of a drug-free sport via its awareness programmes and extensive testing.
