Sanction Received by International Rugby Union Athlete
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the French Anti-Doping Agency, Agence Francaise De Lutte Contre Le Dopage (AFLD) to impose a one-month period of Ineligibility on Australian athlete Reece Hewat for the Presence of a metabolite of a Prohibited Substance, namely Benzoylecgonine (metabolite of Cocaine).
Mr Hewat, a rugby union player for the Section Paloise (“Pau”) team in the Top 14 Championship, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an In-Competition doping control test on 30 November 2024.
Mr Hewat’s sample was analysed by the AFLD and the presence of Benzoylecgonine (metabolite of Cocaine) was detected.
The substance Cocaine is listed under Class S6.A (Non-Specified Stimulants) under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2024 (2024 Prohibited List) and is a Non-Specified Substance prohibited In-Competition only. Cocaine is also classified as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ under the 2024 Prohibited List.
In accordance with Article L. 232-23-3-3 of the French sports code, the AFLD imposed a one-month period of Ineligibility on Mr Hewat commencing on 10 January 2025.
Mr Hewat was ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy between 10 January 2025 – 10 February 2025. He was also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-Signatory International Event organisation or a non-Signatory national-level event organisation.
Additional information on the Prohibited Substance
Classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as an ‘S6 Stimulants’ class of illicit drug, cocaine is an illegal substance listed on the Prohibited Substances and Methods list under the Substances of Abuse category, as a drug which is prohibited for use ‘In-Competition’.
Stimulants are a class of drug that accelerate the function of the central nervous system. They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system which causes an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and affects respiratory rate. They also suppress sensations of hunger, thirst and fatigue which when combined with sharp rises in body temperature result in an increased risk of dehydration, complete exhaustion and death.
Further information on Cocaine and Sport can be located on the SIA Website here: Cocaine Use in Sport | Sport Integrity Australia.
