Facts
Martina Hinges (player) was reported for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). An urine sample taken during the Wimbledon Championship 2007 tested positive for the metabolite of cocaine (benzoylecgonine). Cocaine is a prohibited substance in competition. An oral hearing in respect of the charge took place in London on December 11 and 12, 2007.
History
The player was never been reported for a doping offence. She has no idea how the substance entered her body, also the measured substance was very low. She challenged the procedure of sample taking. She did not admit that the sample tested was provided by her, nor that the laboratory results were reliable. She also contended that if the ITF could prove that she had committed a doping offence, she bore “no fault or negligence” or “no significant fault or negligence” for the offence.
The Tribunal’s Ruling:
1. confirms the commission of the doping offence specified in the notice of charge set out in the ITF’s letter to the player dated October 1, 2007, namely that a prohibited substance, benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, has been found to be present in the urine sample that the player provided at the Wimbledon Championships on 29 June 2007;
2. orders that the player’s individual results in the ladies’ singles competition must be disqualified in respect of the 2007 Wimbledon
Championships, and in consequence rules that the prize money and ranking points obtained by the player through her participation in that
competition must be forfeited;
3. orders, further, that the player’s individual results in all singles and doubles competitions subsequent to the 2007 Wimbledon Championships shall be disqualified and all prize money (half the prize money awarded to the pair in the case of doubles competitions) and ranking points in respect of those competitions forfeited;
4. declares that the player shall be ineligible for a period of two years commencing on 1 October 2007 from participating in any capacity in any event or activity (other than authorized anti-doping education or rehabilitation program) authorized by the ITF or any national or regional entity which is a member of or is recognized by the ITF as the entity governing the sport of tennis in that nation or region.
