Finnish Professional Boxer Robert Helenius receives two-year ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violations
Finnish Professional Boxer Robert Helenius has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for two years, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr Helenius was tested by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after his bout against Anthony Joshua at the London O2 Arena on 12 August 2023. Analysis of his Sample revealed the Presence of clomifene. Clomifene is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all-times.
UKAD notified and charged Mr Helenius with ADRVs for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance and provisionally suspended him. On being notified of the ADRVs, Mr Helenius stated that the clomifene detected in his urine Sample must have originated from his consumption of eggs and chicken meat. However, following a request by UKAD, Mr Helenius was unable to provide any evidence that the eggs and chicken meat he had consumed in advance of the bout originated from hens that had been administered clomifene. Mr Helenius was therefore unable to identify the source of clomifene in his Sample and therefore unable to reduce the applicable period of Ineligibility of two years.
Mr Helenius is entitled to credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended, so his ban is deemed to have commenced on 18 September 2023 and will end at midnight on 17 September 2025.
The full reasoned decision on Mr Helenius’ case is available to read below.
Technical terms and more information
Please note, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the UK Anti-Doping Rules and/or World Anti-Doping Code.
Mr Helenius was bound by the UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) after being granted a foreign boxer license by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC). The BBBoC adopts the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
