Extract of the Ruling of the Hearing – of the Worlds best ranked (Open: no. 1) bridge player Geir Helgemo (49y), representing Monaco but originally Norwegian. He is ban for one year untill 20. November 2019, after testing positive for two prohibited substances in September 2018.

Extract of the Ruling of the Hearing of the World Bridge Federation (WBF) Antidoping Panel held on 11th February 2019 in Lausanne at the Maison Du Sport International.

PRESENCE OF CLOMIFENE AND SYNTETIC TESTOSTERONE.

In compliance with the provisions of the Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), a number of samples were obtained from Players participating in the World Bridge Series held in Orlando in 2018. On 29th September 2019, Geir Helgemo provided a sample that was sent for laboratory testing; the results identified an Adverse Analytical Finding with the presence of Clomifene and synthetic Testosterone that constituted an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as specified within the World Bridge Federation Anti-Doping Rules.

These two substances are on the doping list of the International Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which the bridge association is subject to, in the hope of becoming an Olympic branch.

  • This is not considered to have any performance-enhancing effect, so it feels a bit strange for us bridges. There are many in the environment that respond to the verdict,” says General Secretary of Norway’s Bridge Association, Allan Livgård.

He explains that Helgemo “emigrated” to Monaco in 2011 and has represented them since, but is still a member of the Norwegian Bridge Association.

Geir Helgemo has for several years delivered the bridge-column in VG’s paper newspaper (biggest newspaper in Norway).

PHOTO; Bridges player Tor Helness (left with back to) and Geir Helgemo (number three from the left) during a bride tournament in Chennai in India in 2015. Photo: (Photo: Jan Johannessen)

The world’s two best bridges players, Tor Helness and his partner Geir Helgemo, was prosecuted for coarse tax evasion and for having hidden bridge revenues totaling NOK 18 million (€ 1,9 mill.), in 2017, by the Norwegian Tax authorities.

HELGEMO ACCEPTED THAT HE HAD COMMITTED THE VIOLATION.

As a consequence of the laboratory analysis, an anti-doping charge was brought against the player; he accepted that he had committed the violation and accepted a provisional suspended pending consideration by the Anti-Doping Panel.  He provided details of how the prohibited substances may have come to be present in his system.

The Anti-Doping Hearing Panel, having found Geir Helgemo guilty of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, unanimously imposed the following sanctions;

  • Geir Helgemo shall be ineligible to take part in bridge competition for a period of one year. Since he has previously accepted a voluntary provisional suspension, Geir Helgemo remains suspended until 20 November 2019.
  • The title, medal, awards and masterpoints achieved by Geir Helgemo in the Rosenblum Cup 2018 and in all other competitions within the World Bridge Series 2018 are revoked and the medals and awards have to be returned to the WBF.
  • Consequent upon the Anti-Doping Rule Violation by Geir Helgemo, “the Team Zimmerman” (his team) result in the Final is automatically disqualified and the Team considered to have lost the Final of the Rosenblum Cup.
  • The Anti-Doping Hearing Panel having determined that the Team had No Fault or Negligence, the Team-mates are allowed to retain their medals, awards and masterpoints related to the second place of ranking in the Rosenblum Cup.
  • The nature of this and all championships require the National Federation to attest to the good standing of the athlete; no wrong doing or responsibility was found to be held against the Monaco Bridge Federation.
  • Geir Helgemo shall refund the WBF for the costs of the hearing, calculated at 3659 €.

 

Sources; World Bridge Federation , Wikipedia, Dagens Næringsliv, Norwegian Bridge Federation and VG.