- Świątek tested positive for prohibited substance, trimetazidine (TMZ)
- ITIA investigation determines source was a contaminated regulated medication
- Results in a No Significant Fault or Negligence finding and a one-month suspension
- Player was provisionally suspended from 12 September 2024, before successfully appealing, missing three tournaments
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Iga Świątek, a 23-year-old tennis player from Poland, has accepted a one-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024.
The ITIA accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional. This followed interviews with the player and their entourage, investigations, and analysis from two WADA-accredited laboratories.
In relation to the Player’s level of fault, as the contaminated product was a regulated non-prescription medication in the player’s country of origin and purchase and considering all the circumstances of its use (and other contaminated product cases under the World Anti-Doping Code), the player’s level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’.
The ITIA therefore offered a one-month suspension to Świątek and on 27 November 2024, the player, currently ranked number two in women’s singles, formally admitted the ADRV and accepted the sanction. The player was provisionally suspended from 12 September until 4 October, missing three tournaments, which counts towards the sanction, leaving eight days remaining. In addition, the player also forfeits prize money from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament directly following the test.
The process:
The player provided an out-of-competition urine sample on 12 August 2024, which returned a positive test for TMZ at low levels.
The ITIA sent the player a pre-charge notice of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation on 12 September 2024 under Article 2.1 of the TADP (presence of a Prohibited Substance in a Player’s Sample) and/or Article 2.2 (Use of a Prohibited Substance without a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)).
The sample was split into A and B samples and laboratory analysis found that the A sample contained TMZ, which is prohibited under the TADP, in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators (section S4 (4.4) of the 2024 Prohibited List). Subsequent analysis of the B sample confirmed the finding in the A sample.
Provisional Suspension:
TMZ is a non-Specified substance, and Świątek did not possess a valid TUE for the substance. Findings for non-Specified substances carry a mandatory provisional suspension, which was imposed on 12 September 2024. This meant the player missed the following tournaments:
- WTA 500 Hana Bank Korea Open - September 16 - 22
- WTA 1000 China Open – September 25 – October 6
- WTA 1000 Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open (by virtue of being suspended at the tournament deadline) – October 7 - 13
On 22 September 2024, Świątek exercised their right under the TADP to appeal the provisional suspension to an independent tribunal chair. Whilst the appeal was being considered, the player notified the independent tribunal chair that they had identified that a regulated non-prescription melatonin medicine, manufactured and regulated in Poland, was contaminated with TMZ and hence was the source of their positive test.
The contamination was confirmed by the independent and WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Utah, USA and the scenario was verified by an independent scientific expert from another WADA-accredited laboratory.
Once testing was complete confirming the player’s account, the ITIA did not oppose the lifting of the provisional suspension, which was granted under Article 7.12.3.1 (iii) of the TADP - the Anti-Doping Rule Violation asserted is likely to have involved a Contaminated Product. The independent tribunal chair lifted the provisional suspension on 4 October 2024. As the player appealed the provisional suspension within 10 days of the notice and this appeal was successful, in line with the TADP Rules, it was therefore not publicly disclosed.
Time served under provisional suspension is credited against the period of ineligibility. As such, Świątek’s period of ineligibility will end on 4 December 2024.
ITIA CEO, Karen Moorhouse, said: “Once the source of the TMZ had been established, it became clear that this was a highly unusual instance of a contaminated product, which in Poland is a regulated medicine.
“However, the product does not have the same designation globally, and the fact that a product is a regulated medication in one country cannot of itself be sufficient to avoid any level of fault. Taking into account the nature of the medication, and all the circumstances, it does place that fault at the lowest end of the scale.
“This case is an important reminder for tennis players of the strict liability nature of the World Anti-Doping Code and the importance of players carefully considering the use of supplements and medications. It is vital that appropriate due diligence takes place to minimise the risk of inadvertent ADRVs such as this.
“Help and support is available to players and their entourages, both directly through the ITIA, and through other organisations and schemes which check and test products.”
The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis events worldwide.
The full decision can be read in full by clicking here.
Ends
Published 28 November 2024 14:00
