The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision by Athletics Australia (AA) to issue a public warning and disqualification to Kate Ackland for the presence of a prohibited substance.

Ms Ackland tested positive to the presence of Terbutaline in an in-competition sample collected by ASADA at the 2008 Australian Club Championships held in Hobart, Tasmania on 19 January 2008.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lists Terbutaline - a Beta 2 Agonist used in Asthma medications as a specified substance.

This means that if an athlete can demonstrate the substance was not taken to enhance performance, a sanction ranging from a warning through to a one year suspension can be imposed.

AA was satisfied that Ms Ackland was using the substance for legitimate medical reasons and not attempting to enhance performance. As such a warning and automatic disqualification from the event in question was considered an appropriate sanction by AA.

This case is a further reminder to athletes to be mindful of the status of their medications under the WADA Code and to always get their doctor to check whether a Therapeutic Use Exemption is required.