Summary
- Sport: Tennis
- Issue: Arbitration
- Type: Anti-Doping
- Tribunal: Olivier Ducrey, Helle Qvortrup Bachmann, Abigail Gauci
- Decision date: 21 December 2023
- Outcome: 4 years ineligibility
Decision Details
A decision in the case of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) against Vladislav Ivanov has been issued by the Independent Tribunal.
On 27 April 2023, the ITIA issued the Notice of Charge to Mr Ivanov, charging him with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation pursuant to Article 2.3 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) due to having refused or failing to submit to Sample collection without compelling justification.
The Independent Tribunal, comprised of Mr Olivier Ducrey, Ms Helle Qvortrup Bachmann, and Ms Abigail Gauci, was appointed to hear this matter.
The Player disputed the allegation that he refused to provide a sample. He alleged that he agreed to provide it but requested to take a shower first and believed that request to be granted by the Chaperone. Mr Ivanov stated that he went to his hotel room, took a shower, drank water, and ate fruit and then returned to the Tournament site and provided the Sample.
The Independent Tribunal determined that the issue in question was whether the Player legitimately believed that he was entitled or authorised to delay the provision of the Sample. The Independent Tribunal concluded that since the Player had received education on the ITIA’s anti-doping process and had prior experience being tested, he knew or should have known that he had to stay with the Chaperone and provide the Sample. The Independent Tribunal considered the Player’s recollection of facts as to the request and whether it was granted to be confusing. The Tribunal determined that the eventual provision of the Sample did not mitigate or justify the refusal to undertake testing when initially requested and that the apology or late acknowledgement of a mistake did not justify a reduction of the sanction.
The Independent Tribunal thereby determined the Anti-Doping Rule Violation had been established. A period of Ineligibility of 4 years was imposed in light of Mr Ivanov not meeting his burden to demonstrate that his violations were justified by exceptional circumstances. The period of Ineligibility commenced on the date of the Tribunal’s decision, 21 December 2023. Further, Mr Ivanov’s results at the Event were disqualified.
Sport Resolutions is the independent secretariat to the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s Independent Panel.