The FISA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel today released their decision on the case of rower Milka Manchorova (Tancheva) of Bulgaria. Ms. Manchorova (Tancheva) is suspended from competing in the sport of rowing for the period of ineligibility prescribed in the World Anti-Doping Code of two years which runs until 8 June 2007.
Manchorova (Tankeva) was tested as part of an unannounced test of rowers in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on 3 May 2005. She tested positive for a substance on list S2 of the World Anti-Doping Agencys list of prohibited substances and methods. FISA placed her on an immediate provisional suspension which took effect on 9 June 2005 after it received the positive result of the A sample.
Manchorova (Tankeva) submitted explanations in written form through the president of her national federation, the Bulgarian Rowing Federation, rather than appear in person at the hearing about her case. She did not contest that the banned substance was in her system but was unable to demonstrate to the Hearing Panel that she had no significant fault or negligence which might have reduced her suspension according to clause 10.5 of the World Anti-Doping Code.