Synopsis
The World Anti-Doping Agency has stated it will not appeal against the sanctions placed on Iga Swiatek, following her positive test for a banned substance, trimetazidine. Swiatek had accepted a one-month suspension, with the ITIA confirming it was caused by contamination from a non-prescription medication.Key Takeaways
- WADA will not contest Swiatek's suspension.
- Positive test linked to contaminated melatonin.
- Swiatek accepted a one-month ban.
- Provisional suspension lasted from September 12 to October 4.
- Time served reduces final ineligibility period.
Montreal, Jan 20 (NationPress) The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced that it will refrain from appealing the penalties placed on Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek, who was found to have tested positive for a banned substance in August 2024. On November 28 of the previous year, Swiatek acknowledged a one-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme after her positive test for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) during an out-of-competition test.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted that the positive result was due to the contamination of a legal non-prescription medication (melatonin), which the athlete had been using for jet lag and sleep difficulties, indicating that the violation was unintentional.
WADA has now stated that after a comprehensive review, it will not contest the suspension imposed on Swiatek at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that after a detailed examination, it will not file an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek, who tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned substance, in August 2024," WADA revealed in an official statement.
WADA has thoroughly reviewed the case files related to the ITIA's ruling, which it received on November 29. WADA's scientific advisors have validated that the specific contaminated melatonin scenario, as presented by the player and acknowledged by the ITIA, is credible and that there are no scientific grounds to dispute it at CAS.
Additionally, WADA consulted external legal experts, who determined that the athlete's contamination explanation was well-supported, that the ITIA's decision adhered to the World Anti-Doping Code, and that there was insufficient reason to appeal to CAS.
Swiatek faced a provisional suspension from September 12 to October 4 before successfully contesting it, missing three tournaments that count towards her sanction. Moreover, she forfeited prize money from the Cincinnati Open, which occurred immediately after the test.
On September 22, 2024, Swiatek contested the provisional suspension before an independent tribunal chair. The ITIA confirmed the following month that Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension.
Time spent under provisional suspension is credited towards the period of ineligibility. Accordingly, Swiatek's ineligibility lasted until December 4, 2024, after which she completed the remaining eight days up to December 4 to fulfill the month-long sanction.
