WADA won't appeal Iga Swiatek ruling to CAS, one month suspension stands

Unlike Jannik Sinner and Simona Halep before her, Iga Swiatek will not have to go to CAS for an appeal of her doping violation after WADA confirmed they will not appeal the ruling saying that the evidence presented is 'plausible' and there are 'no scientific grounds' to do so.

Sinner will have to go to CAS in April and could yet face a ban of up to two years. Halep initially had her suspension sit at four years but was down to nine months after appeal albeit her career has not returned to any rate of pre doping issues.

Swiatek tested positive for the substance trimetzidine (TMZ) which is used for jet lag and sleep. She bore no significant fault or negligence according to the finding but served a one month ban during the Asian hard court swing.

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A decision criticised as Swiatek lost her World No.1 spot and didn't play initially as she said she was making changes to her team. That was true but also she served a suspension during this time. The news was confirmed after her rampant 6-0, 6-1 win over Eva Lys at the Australian Open.

Like Sinner, Swiatek as a figurehead of the sport has faced vehement criticism over the doping issue albeit mainly aimed at the authorities over her.

"WADA has conducted a full review of the case file related to the ITIA decision, which it received on 29 November. WADA’s scientific experts have confirmed that the specific contaminated melatonin scenario, as presented by the athlete and accepted by the ITIA, is plausible and that there would be no scientific grounds to challenge it at CAS."

"Further, WADA sought advice from external legal counsel, who considered that the athlete’s contamination explanation was well evidenced, that the ITIA decision was compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, and that there was no reasonable basis to appeal it to the CAS."

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