In October 2013 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping violation against the minors Athletes Franciso Climent and Philipp Aleksanyan after their A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance stanozolol.
After notification the ITF ordered a provision suspension. The Athletes filed statements in their defence and were heard for the ITF Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal.
Both minor Athletes denied any intent to cheat and attributed the positive test results to vitamin and protein supplements given to them by their coach. Later they indicated that the positive test result could be due to a pill given to them in the dressing room of the Gandia Tennis Club during August 2013, or to a contaminated vitamin supplement. They were unable to identify the pill and the person who allegedly gave it to them was identified only as a pharmacist.
The Tribunal concludes that the Athletes failed to provide clear evidence of the circumstances of the ingestion. They were not able to identify the man at their tennis club who, they said, provided the pills. They also failed to make proper enquiries about the content of the pills and supplements they ingested.
Therefore the ITF Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal decides to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athletes, starting on the date of their provisional suspension, i.e. on 4 November 2013.
