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IIHF suspends Russian player for doping infraction

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TJ Tucker
September 13, 2022  (3:57 PM)
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The International Ice Hockey Federation has handed down a lengthy suspension to a Russian player for breaking its anti-doping rules. In a release Tuesday, the IIHF stated 19-year-old Dmitri Komarov will not be allowed at any of its sanctioned tournaments for a period of 8 months. At the same time, the IIHF acknowledged that Komarov's violation was not intentional.

Komarov tested positive for tuaminoheptane, which is considered a stimulant. However, it can also be used in medications. The IIHF said the substance was prescribed by a doctor, and Komarov did not take it while playing in any of the federation's tournaments.

"Based on the player's explanation, the IIHF was of the opinion that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional and deemed it established that the prohibited substance was taken out of competition. In the 2022 WADA Prohibited List the substance is listed as an S6b Stimulant and thus only prohibited in-competition. Therefore, given that the player's fault merely lied in the fact that he returned to competition prior to the substance being cleared from his system for in-competition doping control, the IIHF considered that the player committed the anti-doping rule violation with no significant fault and that a normal degree of fault can be attributed to the player." - IIHF

The IIHF said it also took into account Komarov's "youth and inexperience, and the lack of anti-doping education received by the player" when deciding on the 8 month ban.

It is worth noting that Russia is currently suspended indefinitely from entering any IIHF competitions due to that country's invasion of Ukraine back in February. That could change next week, or it could take several years. Komarov is currently playing in Russia's top junior league, the MHL. He has not been suspended by his team nor is there any indication that he will be.