Tennis Players and Potential Anti-Doping Sanctions: Strategies for Minimizing Risks in Athletic Competitions (Focusing on Jannik Sinner's Case)
Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked tennis player and three-time Grand Slam champion, returns to the court following a three-month suspension for unintentionally using the banned anabolic steroid, clostebol. This controversial occurrence happened during and eight days after Indian Wells last year.
Sinner's return to competitive tennis at his home tournament this week stirs significant attention, raising concerns about the legal and reputational risks associated with anti-doping violations in the sports world.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency, responsible for enforcing the World Anti-Doping Code 2015 through the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TAPD), charged Sinner with an anti-doping rule violation. A first in-competition rule violation typically results in a four-year ban, but it can be reduced to two if proven unintentional. Eliminating the ban altogether is possible if the player demonstrates no fault or negligence.
Sinner's team didn't deny the presence of clostebol in his system. They claimed that his physiotherapist, during Sinner's stay at Indian Wells, inadvertently contaminated him by using an antiseptic spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on his hand. The physiotherapist mistakenly used the fitness coach's antiseptic spray, did not wear gloves, and failed to wash his hands before massaging Sinner, thus allowing the substance to enter his system through the cuts.
Initially, the independent tribunal accepted this version of events. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland reached a case resolution agreement with Sinner, resulting in a three-month ban that concluded on Sunday.
Proactive Strategies for Athletes
This case underscores multiple challenges faced by professional athletes, highlighting the ease of cross-contamination. Athletes can have unwitting exposure to prohibited substances through shared equipment, friends' or family members' use of prohibited substances, or untested supplements.
A recent study by Sport Integrity Australia reveals that 35% of 200 supplements tested contained World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-prohibited substances. Trusting the accuracy of listed ingredients isn't always safe.
So, what steps can athletes take to minimize these risks?
- Education: Greater understanding of the risks associated with supplements is essential. This knowledge can be gained through seminars, clubs, online resources, and support teams.
- Informed-Sport Certified Supplements: These products undergo rigorous testing for banned substances, offering an additional layer of protection for athletes.
- Stay Informed: Regularly reviewing the WADA prohibited list is crucial in order to avoid accidental ingestion of prohibited substances.
- Training Staff: Ensure that coaches, physiotherapists, and other staff members are thoroughly trained on anti-doping regulations and risks.
- Legal Assistance: Consulting a sports lawyer with specialized knowledge in doping can provide valuable guidance in navigating complex anti-doping cases.
In the face of violations, athletes need to take proactive measures to safeguard their reputations and careers. Regardless of their talent or achievements, an apology may not be enough to absolve them from the consequences of accidentally using prohibited substances. With continued scrutiny and focus on fairness in sports, it's essential for athletes to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their integrity.
Angélique Richardson is an Associate at Lawrence Stephens.
- Jannik Sinner, a top-ranked tennis player and three-time Grand Slam champion, was recently suspended for three months for unintentionally using the banned anabolic steroid clostebol.
- Despite the resolution of the case, Sinner's return to competitive tennis has raised concerns about the legal and reputational risks associated with anti-doping violations in the sports world.
- To minimize these risks, athletes can take proactive measures such as getting educated about the risks associated with supplements, using Informed-Sport certified supplements, staying informed about the WADA prohibited list, training staff on anti-doping regulations, and consulting a sports lawyer for guidance in navigating complex anti-doping cases.
- In the sports industry, proactive strategies are essential for athletes to safeguard their reputations and careers, even in the face of unintentional violations.
