Related case:
CAS 2016/A/4643 Maria Sharapova vs ITF
September 30, 2016
In March 2016 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Maria Sharapova after her samples, provided on 26 January and 2 February 2016 tested positive for the prohibited substance Meldronate (Meldonium). This substance is added on the WADA Prohibited List from 1 January 2016.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission for the use of the substance, filed a statement with medical evidence in her defence and was heard for the ITF Independent Tribunal.
The Athlete stated she used the substance as medication since 2006 prescribed by Dr. Anatoly Skalny as treatment for her cold-related and inflammatory diseases. She admited that she does bear some fault because she did not know that the substance was prohibited since 1 january 2016. The use of the Mildronate was not known to any of the Athlete’s team members, the Athlete did not consult the WTA wallet card with prohibited substances and failed to mention the Meldronate on any Doping Control Form between 2014 en 2016.
The Tribunal concludes that the violation of the anti-doping rules was not intentional as the Athlete did not appreciate that Mildronate contained a substance prohibited from 1 January 2016. However she does bear sole responsibility for the violation, and very significant fault, in failing to take any steps to check whether the continued use of this medicine was permissible. If she had not concealed her use of Mildronate from the anti-doping authorities, members of her own support team and the doctors whom she consulted, but had sought advice, then the violation would have been avoided. She is the sole author of her own misfortune.
Therefore the Tribunal decides on 6 June 2016 to impose a 2 year period of ineliglibility on the Athlete Maria Sharapova starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 26 January 2016.
