In November 2019 the International Tennis Federation has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the French wheelchair tennisplayer Adeline Bervoux after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Acetazolamide. After notification the Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the ITF Independent Tribunal.
In this case the ITF accepted that the violation was not intentional. Further it regarded that the parathlete is not in good health and used prescribed Diamox (Acetazolamide) and several other medications without a TUE.
The ITF deemed that if a retrospective TUE is granted the charges against the parathlete would be withdrawn. Nevertheless despite efforts of the ITF to assist the parathlete no retroactive TUE application was filed. Also after an postponement of the proceedings until 31 december 2020 the ITF established that the parathlete for over a year had failed to apply for a retrospective TUE.
The Tribunal considers that the parathlete had confirmed that she used the medication Diamox and mentioned it on the Doping Control Form. The Tribunal also considers that the violation is not intentional and that the parathlete is entirely ignorant of any anti-doping requirements.
In reaching its final conclusion the Tribunal regrets that it has been left without a choice due to the parathlete's failure to engage with the process of applying for a retrospective TUE despite having every possible opportunity and assistance to do so.
Therefore the ITF Independent Tribunal decides on 15 January 2021 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the parathlete starting back dated on 20 November 2020.
