After the public prosecutor's office discontinued the investigation proceedings initiated against our client Michel Heßmann (professional cyclist in a UCI World Tour team) in January 2024 on suspicion of an anti-doping law violation due to a lack of suspicion, the case has now also been brought to a positive conclusion under sports law.
In order to conclude the proceedings, Michel Heßmann today accepted the consequences proposed in NADA's decision in the results management procedure for the positive urine result from the test on 14 June 2023. Because the only 4-month ban is also brought forward by 3 months, Michel Heßmann will be authorised to return to professional cycling and take part in competitions in just one month.
Michel Heßmann had taken an over-the-counter painkiller. In its decision of 17.06.24, NADA states, with reference to the expert reports and analyses obtained, that the most likely cause of the positive urine sample is the ingestion of a contaminated medication. And furthermore, according to NADA: "This means that when taking (...) medication, there is always a residual risk of (even unknowingly) ingesting a prohibited substance." In NADA's opinion, this residual risk is borne by the athlete.
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