Update: German Bowler Receives No Further Penalty In Doping Case

Update: German Bowler Receives No Further Penalty In Doping Case

German bowler Laura Beuthner, who tested positive for a banned substance, will face no further penalties from World Bowling.

Sep 5, 2018 by Lucas Wiseman
Update: German Bowler Receives No Further Penalty In Doping Case

German bowler Laura Beuthner, who was stripped of her World Games gold medal over the summer after testing positive for a banned substance, will face no further penalties from World Bowling.

FloBowling first reported Beuthner’s positive drug test in July that made headlines across the bowling industry. It is the first major doping scandal in the sport’s history.

Beuthner was tested after defeating Team USA’s Kelly Kulick to win the goal medal at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland. She tested positive for the substance hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used as a masking agent to hide other banned substances.

This week, World Bowling announced a hearing took place July 30 between Beuthner and the World Bowling anti-doping hearing panel. After review, the panel decided not to take further action against Beuthner, clearing her to compete in all future competitions.

“Following a thorough study of the case and the evidence put forward by the athlete, the World Bowling anti-doping panel conclude that in accordance with article 10.5.1.1. of the World Bowing anti-doping rules, that there was no intention to dope or significant fault on behalf of the athlete,” World Bowling said in a news release. “Therefore, Ms. Beuthner will receive a reprimand and no further period of ineligibility will be imposed for this anti-doping rule violation.”

After testing positive, Beuthner was placed on a provisional suspension. The World Bowling panel ultimately decided that suspension, along with the loss of the gold medal, was enough of the penalty.

In an exclusive statement to FloBowling in July, Beuthner denied any wrongdoing and said the banned substance may have come from tainted ibuprofen, which she admitted to taking.

As a result of the positive doping test, Kulick was retroactively awarded the gold medal that was stripped from Beuthner.