Rugby / News
Chris Vui breaks silence on ‘devastating’ doping ban
For almost three years, former Bristol Bears lock Chris Vui says he has had to “effectively put my life on hold” after testing positive for a banned substance while representing Samoa.
Vui tested positive in August 2023 for 19-norandrosterone, an indicator for the steroid nandrolone, and was handed a four-year ban by World Rugby which Vui and his legal team appealed but has now been upheld in a judgement by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The 33-year-old, who was at a training camp in Samoa ahead of the 2023 World Cup, said he has “never knowingly used, and would never knowingly use, a prohibited substance. It goes against everything I stand for as a person and as an athlete.”
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After the CAS published their legal judgement, Vui released a statement on Instagram saying he was “devastated by this outcome”.
Teammates past and present have come out in support of Vui, with Bristol Bears and England prop Ellis Genge replying to Vui’s Instagram post with a heart emoji, and many Bears fans saying they hope to see the Samoan back on the Ashton Gate pitch soon.
Vui was born in New Zealand and played for Worcester Warriors before becoming one of Pat Lam’s first signings when he moved to Bristol ahead of the 2017/18 season.
In his statement, Vui said: “As has now been reported, I have been sanctioned with a four-year ban from rugby for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation following a urine sample I provided for doping control in August 2023, whilst in training camp in Samoa ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
“Over the past three years, since being provisionally suspended during the World Cup, I have been fighting to prove my innocence, so 1 am devastated by this outcome.
“Throughout that time, I have been unable to speak publicly about the case due to the confidentiality of the process, but I am now free to tell my side of the story.
“I want to make it clear that I have never knowingly used, and would never knowingly use a prohibited substance.
“It goes against everything I stand for as a person and as an athlete.
“Since being notified of my positive test, I have done everything in my power to work out what could have caused it.
“This included testing supplements, reviewing what I had eaten, and involving experts to investigate the laboratory procedure, all at significant personal cost.
“Regrettably, I was not able to identify the precise cause.
“However, although I was unable to test all of the supplements I was using at the relevant time (as they were no longer available), did discover that a number of them were not actually batch-tested (contrary to their advertising) and have since been discontinued.
“The supplement brand also declined to answer my questions about how the supplements had been manufactured.
“The low level of the substance found in my test is consistent with contamination, and I therefore believe the most likely explanation is that the positive test was caused bv a contaminated supplement.
“Sadly, I could not prove this to a sufficient degree of certainty.
“During the process, my team and I also uncovered various issues with the laboratory procedure, which even the panel who heard my appeal described as ‘troubling’.
“Most notably, my representative at the analysis of my B Sample was excluded from parts of the process, including when the laboratory re-analysed a critical part of the B Sample without informing us.
“My team and I fought the case all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Unfortunately, my appeal was unsuccessful.
“Whilst I respect the CAS decision, I cannot accept it as a reflection of who I am or how I have conducted myself.
“This has been a deeply challenging and unexpected experience that has effectively put my life on hold.
“Whilst I now look forward to moving on, one of the hardest realities is that, despite years of investigation and proceedings, may never know for certain how this situation arose.
“Throughout this process, I have become more aware of the need to ensure athletes have a clear understanding of their (limited) rights within anti-doping proceedings.
“These cases are complex and demanding, and many athletes may not have the support or resources required to properly defend themselves.
“The time, emotional strain, and financial burden can be significant.
“I hope my experience contributes to a broader discussion within sport about athletes’ rights and the operation of anti-doping processes, and also highlights the importance of resisting the urge to rush to judgment, as the full picture is not always visible.
“To anyone going through something similar, please feel free to reach out.
“For now, my focus is on returning to rugby next year and on what comes next as I continue to reflect on this chapter.
“Thank you to those who have supported me throughout this journey – in particular, the team at Morgan Sports Law, the RPA, my wife, and my family – and thank you for taking the time to read this.”
Main photo: Bristol Bears
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