Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of Queensland Rugby League (QRL) to impose a one-month ban on athlete Rory Ferguson for the presence of a metabolite of a prohibited substance.
Mr Ferguson returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an in-competition doping control test on 4 September 2021.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of Cocaine.
QRL imposed a one-month ban on Mr Ferguson commencing on 25 September 2021, consistent with Article 10.2.4.1 of the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code 2021 (Substances of Abuse).
Mr Ferguson was ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 25 October 2021.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
Cocaine is classed as an S6 stimulant on the Prohibited List and is prohibited in-competition. It is also classed as a Substance of Abuse under the Prohibited List.
Generally, cocaine produces an intense ‘rush’ with users feeling a sense of euphoria, alertness, arousal, and increased confidence. Many users find the drug addictive and may face a number of short and long term health problems including an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, kidney failure, and seizures or stroke.
