World number one Jannik Sinner has escaped a ban despite failing two tests for a banned anabolic steroid called Clostebol in March, while the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed on Tuesday that the substance entered his system unintentionally.
It is worth noting that clostebol is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of banned substances and a provisional suspension was automatically applied on both occasions in which Sinner tested positive.
However, Sinner successfully appealed the provisional suspension on both occasions and was allowed to play.
The ITIA report on Sinner reveals that Clostebol entered his system “as a result of contamination from a member of the support crew, who had been applying an over-the-counter spray (available in Italy) containing clostebol to his own skin to treat a small wound.”
“That support team member applied the spray between March 5 and March 13, during which time he also provided daily massages and sports therapy to Sinner, resulting in unknown transdermal contamination,” the ITIA report on Sinner further stated.
“Following consultation with scientific experts, who concluded that the player’s explanation was credible, the ITIA did not oppose the player’s appeals to lift the provisional suspensions.
“The ITIA conducted a thorough investigation, including multiple in-depth interviews with Sinner and his support team, who fully cooperated with the process. Following that investigation, and in accordance with independent scientific advice, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation of the source of clostebol found in his sample and that the infringement was not intentional,” the ITIA said in its decision on Sinner.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has decided to put the incident behind her. The Italian tennis star has promised to “comply with the ITIA anti-doping programme” in the future.
“I will put this difficult and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner posted on X. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I remain compliant with the ITIA anti-doping program and I have a team around me who are meticulous in their own compliance.”
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