facts
Meliha Karic (player) was reported for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a doping test an urine sample was taken at the British Open wheelchair event, in Nottingham on July 25,2006. Her sample tested positive for the adrafinil or modafinil metabolite. The player admits the doping offence.
history
The player suffered tragic injuries in Sarajevo from a bom during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, she is confide to a wheelchair and is paraplegic. Her medication contained prohibited substances but it was only recently the Anti-Doping rules where applicable in wheelchair Tennis. She did file the medication she uses on the filing form during the doping test.
Decision
The Tribunal’s Ruling:
(1) confirms the commission of the doping offence specified in the notice of charge set out in the ITF’s letter to the player dated September 26, 2006, namely that a prohibited substance, adrafinil or modanfinil metabolite, has been found to be present in the urine sample that the player provided at the British Open wheelchair event held at Nottingham, England;
(2) orders that the player’s results in the British Open be disqualified, and in consequence rules that any prize money and ranking points obtained by the player through her participation in events in that competition must be forfeited;
(3) declares that the player shall be ineligible for a period of two years commencing on July 25, 2006 from participating in any capacity in any event or activity (other than authorized anti-doping education or rehabilitation program) authorized by the ITF or any national or regional entity which is a member of or is recognized by the ITF as the entity governing the sport of tennis in that nation or region.
