Tyra Gittens is an Athlete from Trinidad and Tobago. She is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and as treatment she used Methylphenidate (Ritalin). She had a TUE granted by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee that was valid until 31 December 2021.
In June 2022 the Athlete was tested during the national championships. However she was unaware that her TUE had expired, nor was she informed thereafter that she tested positive for Methylphenidate without a valid TUE.
In July 2022 the Athlete had qualified for the World Athletics Championships 2022 and she made a late TUE application to World Athletics. However this application was returned to her in August 2022 because it was incomplete.
Meanwhile in 23 July 2022 at the World Athletics Championships 2022 the Athlete was tested and she mentioned her medication on the Doping Control Form while her TUE application was pending.
On 3 November 2022 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on behalf of World Athletics reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after her sample - provided in July 2022 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Methylphenidate.
Following notification the Athlete accepted a provisional suspension ans she made an application for a retroactive TUE. She explained with medical information and her TUE applications that she use prescribed Ritalin as treatment for her ADHD.
At the same time on 15 November 2022 the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Agency (CRADO) reported that her sample - provided in June 2022 - also had tested positive for the substance Methylphenidate.
After assessment of the case the AIU detemines:
- The Athlete's violations were no intentional.
- The source of the positive tests was her prescribed medication containing Methylphenidate.
- She was unaware that her previous TUE had expired.
- Only in November 2022 she was notified that her previous TUE had expired and that her June 2022 sample tested positive.
- The two reported violations shall be considered as one single first anti-doping rule violation.
- She failed to apply for a renewed national TUE in time, nor made a timely complete TUE application to World Athletics.
- She acted with a light degree of fault.
- There were substantial delays in notifying the Athlete about her positive test results not attributed to the Athlete.
- She admitted the violation, waived her right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU.
Therefore on 30 March 2023 the AIU decides to impose a reduced 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting backdated by 2 months, i.e. on 26 September 2022.
