The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed the FIG sanctions to Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics stars Alina Kabaeva and Irina Tchachtchina, following their positive anti-doping test in Brisbane, in 2001.
This are the facts:
30-08-01: During the Goodwill Games in Brisbane (Australia) Kabaeva and Tchachina are tested positive with the forbidden product Furosemide.
28-09-01: One week after the World Championships in Madrid (Spain) the gymnasts are informed about the positive results of the test in Brisbane.
08-10-01: Both gymnasts ask for the analysis of the B sample. On November 15 2001 they hear that the forbidden product was also in the B sample.
20-02-02: FIG commission conduct a hearing in Lausanne. They decide for a suspension for 1 year, followed by 1 year suspension with probation. The suspension starts on the day on which the samples were taken. This means that the results achieved at the WC 2001 in Madrid are removed from the list.
21-02-02: The gymnasts appeal with the FIG against this decision, but this appeal is rejected on May 9.
29-05-02: The Court Of Arbitration is requested for arbitration. On June 14 they grant a stay of execution. On November 13 there is a hearing.
23-01-03: CAS confirms the sanction decided by FIG on February 20 2002.
24-03-03: A commission, made of three members of FIG Execution Committee, took the decision not to inflict any additional sanctions on Irina Tchachtchina, who was also tested positive with Furosemide at the World Championships in Madrid, because the results of the first control in Brisbane where unknown by then, the commission says that Madrid is a consequence of the first case.
Alina Kabaeva and Irina Tchachtchina are suspended for the rest of the sanction from
January 23th 2003 until April 8th 2003. This means they have to skip the Moscow and Kiev
Grandprix competitions, and the European Championships in Riesa (April 4th-6th).
All results achieved during the stay of execution (Juny 14, 2002 - January 23, 2003) are
valid.