Tennis: Iga Swiatek Receives One-Month Suspension Due to Dope Test Linked to Contaminated Medication
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Lausanne (Switzerland), Nov 28 (NationPress) The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Thursday that the World No.1 female player, Iga Swiatek from Poland, has accepted a one-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping programme after testing positive for a banned substance. Swiatek tested positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) and faced a provisional suspension starting September 12, 2024. Following a successful appeal, her suspension was reduced, leading her to miss three tournaments.
The ITIA acknowledged that the presence of the banned substance was due to a contaminated regulated medication, resulting in a finding of No Significant Fault or Negligence and a subsequent one-month suspension.
The ITIA's statement clarified that Iga Swiatek, aged 23, tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample collected in August 2024.
An investigation conducted by the ITIA concluded that the source of the banned substance was a contaminated regulated medication.
The ITIA's findings indicated that this case does not warrant a significant fault or negligence finding, which justified the one-month suspension.
The WTA has also recognized this decision, expressing support for Swiatek.
The WTA acknowledged the ITIA's ruling and stated that it stands by the player during this challenging period. Iga Swiatek has consistently shown a strong commitment to fair play and the values of clean sport, and this unfortunate situation underscores the difficulties athletes encounter when using medications and supplements.
This marks the second doping incident in tennis involving a prominent player, following men's World No.1 Jannik Sinner, who had previously tested positive. In his case, the ITIA accepted his explanation that the banned substance was introduced into his system by a masseur.
Many in the sport have expressed disappointment over Sinner's lack of punishment despite his positive test.
Iga Swiatek receiving a lighter penalty is likely to raise further questions about the effectiveness of the sport's anti-doping program and its enforcement.
