The New Zealand Sports Tribunal has banned weightlifter Chris Kennedy from participating in sport for a period of two years after he tested positive in a post-event drug test at the New Zealand Weightlifting Foundation Nationals in September 2023.

The substance found was Ritalin (ritalinic acid, a metabolite of methylphenidate), which is a central nervous system stimulant for users and is banned in sport. Ritalin is a prescription medication used to treat ADHD and is banned in competition. 

Although Ritalin may be taken before or after a competition day, athletes are not allowed to have the substance in their system during competition unless they have a therapeutic use exemption. 

Kennedy stated that he took Ritalin three days before the National Championships to manage undiaosed ADHD symptoms and not to cheat in sport. Despite this, Ritalin was still in his system during the competition, which is prohibited and led to the suspension.

Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) Chief Executive Nick Paterson expressed his frustration at seeing an athletes self-medicating. "Not only is it dangerous to their health to take prescription medications without the supervision, direction or diagnosis of a doctor, but it also puts the athlete at risk of taking a prohibited substance and being sanctioned."

"Chris Kennedy may not have intended to cheat, but he was reckless with his health and his sport and harmed his competitors by competing with an unfair advantage," which justifies the sanction imposed.

"The athlete is always responsible for what is in his system and when it is there," concluded the director of the New Zealand National Anti-Doping Organisation.

Paterson also took the opportunity to remind athletes that a doping sanction can have wider consequences than just a ban from sport: "There are strict rules against athletes participating in sport during a provisional suspension or ban." 

"This includes training or coaching other athletes. This case is a reminder that a ban from sport can affect not only your ability to participate, but also your ability to train and volunteer," he added.