Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of Athletics Australia to sanction athlete Melanie Panayiotou for the presence and use of prohibited substances.
Ms Panayiotou returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an out-of-competition doping control test on 3 September 2019.
Her sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of 17α-ethyl-5α-estrane-3α,17β-diol; 17α-ethyl-5β-estrane-3α,17β-diol; and 17α-hydroxyethyl-5β-estrane-3α,17β-diol (metabolites of Norethandrolone and/or Ethylestrenol).
It was determined that the athlete used Norethandrolone and/or Ethylestrenol on and/or before 3 September 2019.
Norethandrolone and Ethylestrenol are Class S1.1.a (Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) substances under the Prohibited List 2019 and are prohibited at all times.
Ms Panayiotou is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 3 September 2022.
She is also not permitted to compete in a non-signatory professional league, or event organised by a non-signatory International or National level event organisation.
Additional information on the prohibited substances
Anabolic agents pose many threats to an athlete's health and some side effects may include an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Liver disease and infertility can also result from the use of these agents.
Sport Integrity Australia is committed to protecting the right of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the Sport Integrity Australia website
