In April 2017 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Italian tennis player after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance letrozole.
After notification the Athlete filed a statement with evidence in her defence and she was heard for the Sport Resolutions Independent Tribunal.
The Athlete admitted the charge that letrozole was present in her sample and therefore the proceedings are only concerned with the question of sanction. The Athlete explained with evidence and witness statements that she likely ingested the substance letrozole by accidentally consuming her mother's anti-cancer medication “Femara” while visiting her family in Italy in February 2017.
After hearing the expert evidence the Tribunal concludes that the scientific evidence is inconclusive in respect of the frequency, quantity and circumstances of the ingestion of letrozole by the Athlete.
Having found the threshold test to be made out and having identified the means by which the Prohibited Substance came to enter the Athlete’s body the Tribunal has come to the conclusion that the plea of No Significant Fault or Negligence is made out.
The Tribunal takes into account the circumstances involved in this case and that the Athlete has not only an unblemished record but has demonstrated, through her evidence which the Tribunal accepts, having been otherwise meticulous in taking precautions to ensure that she acted in compliance with the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). As a result of the findings that the Tribunal has made it concludes that the degree of fault is at the lowest end of the scale.
Therefore the Sport Resolutions Independent Tribunal decides on 3 August 2017 to impose a 2 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
