The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Puerto Rican Para powerlifter Johannes Hernandez for 15 months after he committed an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.
The athlete returned an adverse analytical finding for a prohibited substance in a urine sample provided on 31 August 2019 during competition at the Parapan American Games, where he finished fourth in the Men’s Over 107kg category.
The substances were Hydrochlorothiazide and metabolite, which are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2019 Prohibited List under the class S5. Diuretics and Masking Agents.
As a result of his violation, Hernandez is ineligible for competition for 15 months from 31 August 2019 to 30 November 2020. The athlete’s individual results obtained at the 2019 Parapan American Games are subject to disqualification, with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points or prizes.
Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in his or her bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.
