Player banned for 4 years after positive test for bodybuilding drug Drostanolone

A 40-year-old amateur player in England has been banned for 4 years after testing positive for anabolic steroids more commonly associated with bodybuilding.

Michael Lowis (Clevedon RFC) has been suspended for a period of four years from all sport following the decision of a national anti-doping independent panel for an anti-doping violation.

The 40 year-old rugby player tested positive for the presence of the prohibited substances Drostanolone and Trenbolone (metabolite 17-epitrenbolone).

He was tested following a match between Clevedon RFC and Bridgewater & Albion RFC on 15 March 2017.

Given that Drostanolone and Trenbolone are not Specified Substances, the startingpoint for ineligibility here is four years, which period of ineligibility could be reduced to two years under World Rugby Regulation 21.10.2.2 if the Player can establish that the violation was not intentional.

Lowis did not formally contest the matter and offered no explanation for how the substances came to be present in his body.

The written judgement in the case points out that: "A remarkable feature of the present case is that the Player has offered absolutely no explanation for how the Prohibited Substances came to be in his system. In those

circumstances, Mr Lowis has made no attempt to demonstrate that his conduct was not “intentional” and to discharge the burden of establishing any basis upon which the period of ineligibility shall be reduced below four years."

Lowis will receive a credit for the period of his provisional suspension - which began on 10 April 2017 - the start date for the period of ineligibility of four years from any sport.

The independent panel consisted of William Norris QC (Chair), Blondel Thompson and Professor Gordon McInnes.

Drostanolone Propionate is an anabolic androgenic steroid that first hit the market around 1970 under the trade name Masteron, is commonly used by bodybuilders.