The 21-year-old Danish cyclist Christian Kornum has been sentenced to a two-year doping ban.
Christian Kornum has been convicted of unintentionally using the banned substance methylphenidate, which is found in, among other things, the ADHD medication Ritalin.
He was tested positive for the substance in connection with the U23 Danish championships on 11 May last year, where he raced for Team Aalborg-Sparekassen Danmark and won silver.
Anti Doping Denmark says in the ruling that it was not "sought to demonstrate that the violation of the anti-doping rules is intentional". Therefore, the sentence is a two-year suspension and not four years.
In connection with the case, Christian Kornum has explained that the day before championships, he met with his study group, where they discussed Ritalin, because two of his fellow students suffer from ADHD.
Christian Kornum mentioned in this connection that Ritalin is known as a "study drug" and that it should work as an effective caffeine pill. One of his classmates offered him a Ritalin pill, which he accepted.
"He (Kornum, ed.) explained that the purpose of taking the pill was to experiment and hopefully be able to read longer and more concentrated. He stated that the pill worked as he felt better able to concentrate after taking it. He didn't think he could feel the effect the next day", said Christian Kornum according to the Doping Board's ruling.
According to the ruling, in connection with the doping test, Christian Kornum mentioned to the anti-doping inspectors that he had taken Ritalin. Only then did he find out that Ritalin was on the doping list, it says.
The two-year sentence began on 4 July 2024, when Christian Kornum was temporarily excluded at his own request.