The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced on July 20th that show jumper Ben Asselin has received a 14-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete’s urine sample, collected during an in-competition sample collection session on June 18, 2022 during the Spruce Meadows National, revealed the presence of d-amfetamine, a prohibited stimulant found in the ADHD drug Vyvanse. Asselin was formally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Sept. 28, 2022.
The CCES notified the rider on August 9, 2022 of the adverse analytical finding of amphetamine and dexamphetamine. Asselin was charged on Feb. 6, 2023, by the CCES with an anti-doping rule violation; a penalty of a two-year period of ineligibility was sought. The 29-year-old, who took the medication only on non-competition days to help him focus while undergoing a rigorous education program in preparation for participation in his family’s business, requested a hearing to determine whether the proposed sanction period should be eliminated or reduced. Ian Millar and Ian Allison were among those who spoke on his behalf at his hearing.
On June 16, 2023, Arbitrator Robert P. Armstrong confirmed the violation, and reduced the sanction to 14 months on the basis of his finding that Asselin was not significantly at fault or significantly negligent in connection with the test result. Because he had accepted a voluntary provisional suspension on August 15, 2022, the sanction terminates on October 14, 2023.
During the sanction period, Asselin is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP), including training with teammates.
The full decision can be found at www.crdsc-sdrcc.ca.
~ with files from CCES
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