The Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) officially announced that volleyball international Mikołaj Sawicki has been cleared after additional laboratory analyses were performed. Sawicki is a teammate of our national team captain Alex Grozdanov at Bogdanka Lublin.
According to the published statement, the additional tests were performed on an "A" sample taken from the athlete, at POLADA's own request and with the approval of the Disciplinary Panel conducting the proceedings. The analyses were carried out in a foreign laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The key conclusion is unequivocal ", the test result is negative, with no metabolites or traces of modafinilic acid found. This substance was precisely what led to the initial suspicions against the athlete.
As a result of the new evidence, the procedure against Sawicki will be terminated, which automatically leads to his full exoneration.
The case caused a significant stir in Polish volleyball circles, as it concerns a national team player during a period packed with international tournaments. POLADA's decision not only restores the player's reputation but also removes potential tension in the squad for upcoming competitions.
From the perspective of anti-doping procedures, the case demonstrates the importance of additional analyses and the role of independent laboratories, especially when dealing with borderline or disputed results.

Photo: Nikolay Varadinov