Surf Life Saving athlete receives sanction

Press Release

13th February 2018

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to impose a three year, six month ban on athlete Jessica Flower for the presence of a prohibited substance.

ASADA collected an in-competition sample from Ms Flower on 14 January 2017 at the Surf Life Saving Australia Surf Boats—Ocean Thunder competition at Dee Why, Sydney.

Her sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Modafinil and its metabolite Modafinilic Acid.

Modafinil is banned in-competition under the S6 class of Stimulants on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. It is a prescription medication which stimulates wakefulness in the brain and is used to treat disorders such as narcolepsy and sleep apnoea, however the athlete did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Side effects can include dizziness, anxiety and nausea.

To determine whether a substance is allowed in sport, athletes are able to check all medications sold in Australia on www.GlobalDRO.com. The website shows that Modafinil is prohibited for use in competition.

Ms Flower waived her right to a hearing and did not contest the sanction. Her sanction was reduced from four years to three years, six months on the basis of prompt admissions.

The decision means she is ineligible to participate, as an athlete or support person, in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 10 October 2020.

Tuesday, 13 February 2018