Ms. Kristina Antoniychuk (Respondent) is an Ukrainian tennis player. On 22 February 2010 Respondent competed at the 2010 Abierto Mexicano TELCEL presentado por HSBC in Acapulco, Mexico, where she provided a sample for doping control.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti doping rule violation against Respondent after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance furosemide.
Respondent stated she used furosemide to treat a medical condition she has for two years. She presented medical records confirming the diagnosis, and further confirming that in January 2010, when the condition worsened, she was prescribed furosemide by a doctor. Respondent stated she was not aware the medication prescribed to her contained any prohibited substance.
Respondent acknowledged that she did not consult a sports medicine specialist, nor did she ensure that the doctor she consulted understood the strict anti-doping rules to which she is subject.
The Tribunal concluded that 19 years old Respondent was inexperienced in relation to doping matters. The ITF finds a reduction of eight months appropriate in this case.
The International Tennis Federation Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal decides that Respondent had committed an anti-doping rule violation and that the following consequences should be imposed:
(a) A fourteen-month period of ineligibility, backdated to commence on 22 February 2010 and therefore ending on 21 April 2011.
(b) Disqualification of her results achieved in 6 tennis competitions, including the forfeiture of the ranking points and prize money awarded.
