The Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee (HKADC) announces today (10 November 2022) that Mr. LAI Wai Kit (the athlete), athlete in the sport of Contract Bridge, has been imposed an 8-month sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (“ADRVs”).
The violation occurred during an out-of-competition doping control on 22 June 2022. The athlete’s urine sample was tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide & its metabolite 4- amino-6-chloro-1, 3-benzenedisulphonamide. According to the 2022 Prohibited List, Hydrochlorothiazide is prohibited under S5. Diuretics and Masking Agents in sport at all times.
In response to HKADC’s notification of the adverse analytical finding, Mr. LAI waived his right to the analysis of his B sample and voluntarily accepted the provisional suspension on 1 August 2022. The Doping Control Panel of the Hong Kong Anti-Doing Committee carefully considered the case and Mr. LAI was found guilty of violating Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of the Anti-Doping Rules of HKADC. Mr. LAI also waived his right to request for a hearing to be convened and accepted the charges and consequences on 26 August 2022.
An appeal was filed by the Hong Kong Contract Bridge Association Ltd (HKCBA) against the length of sanction imposed on the athlete. The Hong Kong Anti-Doping Appeal Panel subsequently voted that there were no enough grounds for an appeal and thus rules that the appeal launched by the HKCBA is dismissed on 8 November 2022.
In the circumstances that the case involved Specified Substances, Mr. LAI’s period of ineligibility has started from 1 August 2022 to 31 March 2023. During the period of ineligibility, Mr. LAI is ineligible to participate in any capacity in a competition or activity described in Article 10.14.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules of HKADC. As a result of the ADRVs, all competitive results obtained by Mr. LAI from 23 June 2022 to 1 August 2022 be disqualified with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
HKADC, under the auspices of the SF&OC, is an independent committee responsible for the anti-doping programme in Hong Kong. HKADC is committed to preserve a doping-free environment for fair play in sport in Hong Kong.