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Riekert Hattingh has been handed a six-month suspension by the US Anti-Doping Agency. The Seattle Seawolves captain tested positive for tamoxifen in an out-of-competition test on March 27 of this year. His suspension is effective from August 4, 2022, to February 4, 2023.
Tamoxifen is a banned substance under USADA rules. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that is often used to treat breast cancer. Another known use is to prevent side effects of anabolic steroids as part of post-cycle treatment (PCT).
Hattingh’s positive test was determined to be a result of medication prescribed by a physician. He did not, however, obtain a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) prior to its use.
The sanction is of a similar length to UFC fighter Abu Azaitar while another fighter John Allan was handed a one-year suspension after admitting use prior to being tested. In 2016 a Sri Lankan sevens player was suspended for four years after testing positive for tamoxifen during a World Rugby competition.
As such Hattingh will not be in contention for the USA Eagles for the remainder of 2022, and while dates are yet to be confirmed it’s unlikely he will miss much if any of the 2023 MLR regular season.
The Seawolves released a statement following USADA’s announcement:
“Riekert was prescribed a medication during the offseason to treat symptoms of a preexisting medical condition Riekert has had since adolescence. The medication prescribed is not a Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) but is a Specified Substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
“At the time the medication was prescribed, neither Riekert nor the physician who prescribed the medication were aware that the medication was on the Specified Substance list and required a Therapeutic Use Exemption. His prescription use did not confer any competitive advantage to Riekert, as reflected in his sanction.
“Riekert has accepted personal responsibility for the oversight and has begun the 6-month suspension. The Seawolves stand behind our Captain and look forward to him rejoining the Club at the conclusion of his suspension.”
