Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun tested positive for anabolic steroids when he failed a testosterone – epitestosterone ratio (T:E ratio) screen after a Brewers-Cardinals playoff game in October 2011. He was suspended for 50-games under the Major League Baseball’s steroid policy. Braun record a T:E ratio in excess of 20+.
Arbitrator Shyam Das overturned Braun’s suspension on February 23, 2012 presumably due to a violation MLB’s specimen collection protocol. A written explanation of Das’s surprising ruling was expected within thirty days as mandated by Major League Baseball’s labor contract. The 30-day window has passed without the release of Das’s statement.
The Associated Press has reported that the explanation may not be forthcoming. Apparently, MLB and the MLB Players’ Union have both asked Das to suppress the publication of his report. The two parties want to negotiate new rules for specimen collection prior to the release of Das’s report.
Executive at anti-doping organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and drug testing organizations, such as Comprehensive Drug Testing (CDT) were highly critical of Das’s decision. WADA and USADA defended the drug testing officer that was essentially accused by Braun of sabotaging his urine sample.
Anti-doping advocates are disappointed that Das’s report has not yet been released. If Braun had tested positive for steroid in any other sport that has adopted the WADA Code, he most likely would have been forced to serve his 50-game suspension.
“It’s obviously disappointing because people deserve to know what the basis for the case being overturned is, and frankly the athlete should have that right as well,” said USADA CEO Travis Tygart. “Certainly an innocent athlete would want that opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Comprehensive Drug Testing has tightened their specimen collection procedures to avoid a repeat of the Braun fiasco.
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Source:
Blum, R. (April 23, 2012). AP sources: Arbitrator may be told not to issue written decision in Braun case. Retrieved from http://www.newser.com/article/d9uatpsg2/apnewbreak-ap-sources-arbitrator-may-be-told-not-to-issue-written-decision-in-braun-case.html
