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The International Triathlon Union (ITU) announced today that Mr. Victor David Sanchez Garcia, a triathlete from Spain, committed an anti-doping rule violation. The violation occurred during an in-competition doping control conducted in July 6, 2018, during the Fyn 2018 ITU Multisport World Championships Festival, in which he finished in 4th place in the 40-44 Male AG Aquabike World Championships, 2nd place in the 40-44 Male AG Sprint Duathlon World Championships and first place in the 40-44 Male AG Duathlon World Championships.

Mr. Sanchez Garcia urine sample was sent for analysis to the WADA-accredited Laboratory in Oslo, in accordance with the International Standard for Laboratories. The Oslo Laboratory reports
adverse analytical findings of Ephedrine, Oxilofrine and Tamoxifen.

Ephedrine and Oxilofrine are classified as Section S.6 stimulants under the WADA Prohibited List. Tamoxifen is classified as a Section S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulator under the WADA
Prohibited List. All three are considered “specified substances”.

On August 21, 2018, ITU sends the Athlete a Notice of a Possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation. This Notice explains the possible charge, offers the Athlete a voluntary provisional suspension pending resolution of the matter and provides the Athlete with a myriad of disciplinary rights and options, including the possibility to promptly admit the anti-doping rule violation.

Soon thereafter, by way of various written statements, the Athlete promptly admits the anti-doping rule violation and waives the analysis of his B sample. Mr. Sanchez Garcia explained how the substances entered his system.With regards to the finding of Ephedrine and Oxilofrine, he explained that he was treated for acute asthmatic crisis and acute rhinoconguntivitis and that the medication prescribed contained both the ephedrine and the oxilofrine. Upon receipt of the ITU Notice of a possible anti-doping rule violation, he applies for a retroactive TUE for the use of these two substances with AEPSAD (the Spanish NADO). The retroactive TUE is denied.

With regards to the finding of Tamoxifen, he explains that a little over a year ago he fractured his fifth metatarsal on his right foot and sought out alternative bone regeneration treatment called
Growth Factors to treat the same. He says that the tamoxifen was prescribed along with the Growth Factors, that he only used it for half its intended cycle and that it offers no performance
enhancement.

Other than his word, the athlete neither submits reliable evidence in support of this Growth Factors treatment nor of the physician who administered said treatment and allegedly prescribed the
Tamoxifen. The Athlete submits no credible exculpatory evidence in support of his explanations and his retroactive TUE application was denied. Accordingly, he does not fulfill the burden of proof that would allow him to benefit from any reduction in sanction.

On September 7, 2018 ITU sent the Athlete Notice of an Assertion of the Anti-Doping Rule Violation. In light of the Athlete’s explanation and inability to establish that he has no fault or no
significant fault for the anti-doping rule violation, ITU proposes as a consequence to his antidoping rule violation that a 24-month period of ineligibility be imposed. However, because of the Athlete’s prompt admission, the start date of the mandatory period of ineligibility proposed by ITU is to be backdated to the date of sample collection.

Mr. Sanchez Garcia results and points earned at the Fyn 2018 ITU Multisport World Championships Festival will be disqualified with all resulting consequences including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money. The period of ineligibility will begin on July 6, 2018. The Athlete will be free to resume competition July 6, 2020.

ITU is the world governing body for the sport of triathlon with over 170 affiliated national federations worldwide.

ITU is concerned about athletes health and well-being when they pollute their body with drugs. ITU is strongly committed to making sure that Triathlon remains a clean sport and that our athletes are competing on a level-playing field. We realize how important are both, in-competition and out-of-competition tests leading up to the Olympic Games and ITU is committed to finding any athletes who do not respect the rules.