The Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (the CAS ADD) confirms the provisional suspensions imposed on Sajjad Ghanim Sehen Sehen (IRQ / Judo) and Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore (NGR / Boxing)
Lausanne, 30 July 2024 - The Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) has handled its first two Olympic cases in Paris and confirmed the following provisional suspensions during the night of 28 July 2024:
Sajjad Ghanim Sehen Sehen (IRQ) - Judo
Mr Sajjad Ghanim Sehen Sehen (the Athlete) was registered to represent the National Olympic Committee of Iraq (NOC Iraq) in judo at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. On 23 July 2024, the Athlete was subject to an out-of-competition doping control for which an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) was reported for the presence of two prohibited substances ((i) metandienone metabolite 17b-hydroxymethyl,17a-methyl-18-norandrost1,4,13-trien-3-one and (ii) boldenone and its metabolite 5b-androst-1-en-17b-ol-3-one). Such substances are listed as “Non-Specified Substances” under S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids of the 2024 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
On 26 July 2024, the International Testing Agency (ITA), on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC), notified the Athlete of the AAF and imposed a mandatory provisional suspension pursuant to Article 7.6.1 of the IOC Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), with immediate effect. Through the AAF notification, the Athlete was informed of the potential consequences of the AAF and his procedural rights, including the right to request the B-sample counter-analysis, a provisional hearing, or an expedited final hearing. On 26 July 2024 the NOC Iraq confirmed to the ITA that the Athlete requested a provisional hearing to challenge the provisional suspension. Consequently, the ITA referred the matter to the CAS ADD as per Article 7.6.1 of the IOC ADR.
The Single Judge of the CAS ADD held a hearing with the parties at 11:00 (CET) on 28 July 2024 and issued her decision later the same day, at 20:00 (CET), confirming the provisional suspension imposed by the IOC on Mr Sajjad Ghanim Sehen Sehen on 26 July 2024.
Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore (NGR) – Boxing
Ms Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilor (the Athlete) was registered to take part in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the Women’s Boxing 60 kg category. On 25 July 2024 the Athlete was subject to an out-of-competition doping control for which an AAF was reported for the presence of Furosemide. Such substance is prohibited by WADA at all times and is classified as a “Specified Substance” under S.5 Diuretics and Masking Agents of the 2024 WADA Prohibited List.
On 27 July 2024 at 21:24 CET the ITA, on behalf of the IOC, notified the Athlete of the AAF and imposed a Provisional Suspension on her pursuant to Article 7.6.2 of the IOC ADR, with immediate effect. Through the AAF notification, the Athlete was informed of the potential consequences of the AAF and her procedural rights, including the right to request the B-sample counter-analysis, a provisional hearing, or an expedited final hearing.
In response to the notification, on 28 July 2024, the Athlete asserted her innocence. The ITA informed the Athlete that it would refer the matter to the CAS ADD for a ruling in relation to the provisional suspension. In referring the matter to the CAS ADD, the ITA sought a ruling that the provisional suspension be maintained.
The Single Judge of the CAS ADD held a hearing with the parties at 22:30 (CET) on 28 July 2024 and issued his decision later the same day, at 23:55 (CET), confirming the provisional suspension imposed by the IOC on Ms Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilor on 27 July 2024 and continuing through the duration of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
