Welsh rugby union player Liam Jenkins receives three-year ban
Welsh rugby union player Liam Jenkins has been banned from all sport for three years following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) following the presence of a banned substance in his urine Sample.
On 9 December 2021, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Jenkins at a Bedwas RFC squad test. Analysis of Mr Jenkins’ urine Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for clenbuterol.
Clenbuterol is an anabolic agent used to gain muscle and burn fat. The drug is banned at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
On 20 January 2022 UKAD notified Mr Jenkins that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Anti-Doping Rule (ADR) Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and ADR Article 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance), and provisionally suspended him from all sport.
Mr Jenkins was then charged by UKAD on 7 February 2022 and in response he formally admitted the ADRVs the same day. In view of his timely admission and acceptance of the asserted sanction, under the ADR Mr Jenkins is eligible to receive a one-year reduction to his ban, meaning the ban imposed in his case is three years rather than four.
Mr Jenkins’ three-year ban is deemed to have commenced on 20 January 2022 (the date of his provisional suspension) and will therefore expire at midnight on 19 January 2025.
Speaking on the case, UKAD Director of Operations, Pat Myhill said: “This case is a reminder that taking anabolic agents can significantly impact your sporting career, leading to lengthy bans from sport.
“All athletes must know the rules and that they are solely responsible for what goes into their bodies. If you risk taking something, you will eventually be caught and removed from sport. It’s not worth the risk to your health, career, or the reputation of your sport.”
