Four-year ban for Tug of War competitor over positive test

Sport Ireland have imposed a four-year ban on Tug of War player Aidan Byrne for committing an anti-doping rule violation.

In a sample collected during in-competition testing on 2 July 2023, Byrne tested positive for benzoylecgonine which is the major metabolite of cocaine.

The start of ban is backdated to the beginning of his provisional suspension on 3 August 2023.

In a joint statement, Sport Ireland and Tug of War Ireland said: "Aidan Byrne tested positive for the cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in a sample collected in In-Competition Testing on 2 July 2023, contrary to Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules.

"Mr Byrne did not provide evidence that he used cocaine Out-of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance, which would have led to his ban being reduced to three months. Pursuant to Article 8.4.2 of the Rules, as Mr. Byrne failed to dispute the violations, he is deemed to have admitted them, waived his right to a hearing and to have accepted the proposed sanctions.

"Accordingly, Sport Ireland issued a reasoned decision imposing a ban of four years on Mr Byrne, effective from the date of his provisional suspension which commenced on 3 August 2023. The deadline for any appeal by Mr Byrne has passed."