In January 2022 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Russian tennis player Elizavetka Demina after her A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldonium.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted the provisional suspension and the decision rendered by the ITF. The Athlete admitted that prior in August 2021 she had used Mildronate over two week in order to recover after a period of intense training.
The ITF finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's samples and accordingly that she committed an anti-doping rule violation. The ITF deems that the Athlete had not attempted to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional and considers that she gave an early admission and acceptance of sanction.
Therefore the ITF decides on 30 March 2022 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 January 2022.
