In October 2022 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Korean wheelchair tennis player Kyu-Seung Kim (59) after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Hydrochlorothiazide.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the ITF.
The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained with evidence that he had used prescribed medication as treatment for his Hypertension.
Previously the Athlete had used prescribed Telmirotan tablets without issues. However he was unaware, nor was he informed, that his prescription had changed and instead he had received Telmirotan Plus tablets containing the prohibited substance.
In view of the evidence the ITF accepts that the Athlete's violation was not intentional, that the source of the prohibited substance had been established and that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence. Further the ITF had determined that during the provisional suspension the Parathlete had trained twice with his national wheelchair tennis team.
Therefore the ITF decides on 24 March 2023 to impose a 12 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of this Decision.
