The National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) has come under fire after the number of doping tests drastically dropped from an average of 250 to just 6 in October. This decline followed the agency’s decision to switch its biological sample collection service provider. Ivona Patzaichin, daughter of the late canoeing legend Ivan Patzaichin and previous head of the firm providing these services until September, alleges that the new contract was awarded to a newly established company, raising suspicions of a potential conflict of interest.
Between 2019 and September 2026, the firm responsible for collecting biological samples for ANAD was Tengai Sport Management SRL, led by Liviu-Adrian Rusu and Ivona-Beatrice Patzaichin-Rusu. Their contract expired on September 28, and although Tengai submitted a new offer, ANAD directly awarded the contract to LaboraNova Medical SRL, a company founded just eight days before the offer deadline.
The awarded offer was strategically priced 7,320 lei below the legal threshold of 270,120 lei, allowing ANAD to proceed without a formal procurement process. This change coincided with a significant reduction in doping tests conducted under ANAD oversight.
Accusations regarding the contract’s awarding process have surfaced, with Ivona Patzaichin questioning the criteria used to select the winning bid. She highlighted that LaboraNova Medical appeared to have acquired necessary equipment only after submitting its offer, potentially delaying doping control activities for an additional two months.
“This company reportedly contacted material and equipment suppliers only on October 12, after the offer deadline of October 8 had passed. Our reliable suppliers, who have worked with us for nine years, informed us about the situation,” said Ivona Patzaichin. “It is crucial that ANAD clarifies this matter for both us and the athletes, especially since we are dealing with a sensitive process. They need to explain the selection criteria.”
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
According to termene.ro, Ana Jijie is listed as the sole partner/shareholder of LaboraNova Medical. Ivona Patzaichin claims that Jijie was part of the selection committee for the Appeal Commission handling doping regulation violations.
After a period of inactivity, the Appeal Commission resumed operations in early March, with the government announcing the selection of its 11 members based on evaluations by experts in legal, medical, and sports fields.
Regarding the concerns of a conflict of interest, Ivona Patzaichin remarked, “From an external perspective, this situation raises suspicion. It is imperative for ANAD to clarify the circumstances. The consequences can be severe, and it’s essential for the public to trust that the process is transparent and free of misconduct.”
ANAD’s Explanation: Economic Advantage Cited
In response to the public outcry, ANAD, through president Ștefan Rohnean, stated that the provider selection was based on the economic advantage of the offered price. Two international companies had submitted higher bids than LaboraNova’s.
“At the time of consultation, Tengai Sport Management had offered a price of 1,095 lei without VAT per sample, which had been increased from 1,175 lei earlier. In contrast, LaboraNova Medical submitted a price of 975 lei per sample. The selection considered economic advantages relative to the requested services and performance conditions,” stated ANAD.
The financial implications suggest that maintaining the monthly average of 200 samples could create an additional cost of approximately 288,000 lei (about €53,800) if Tengai’s higher bid had been accepted.
ANAD further asserted that there was no conflict of interest or incompatibility, emphasizing that the requirements for operational conditions are a contractual obligation that must be met when doping control is requested.
Contract Fell Under Direct Procurement Threshold
The offer from LaboraNova Medical was 262,800 lei, effectively covering 268 samples and allowing ANAD to bypass a formal bidding procedure. This method, ANAD stated, had been previously employed in contracts with Tengai Sport Management from 2018 to 2023.
No economic operator can gain preferential rights through prior collaboration with a public institution. ANAD is required to promote competition, prevent reliance on a single provider, and ensure effective use of public funds without compromising the quality or integrity of doping control processes,” added ANAD.
