Friday, 26 July 2013

Troiki handed an 18 month ban

Serbian tennis player Viktor Troiki has been given an 18 month ban by the International Tennis Federation for violating the anti-doping rules.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
The world number three failed to provide a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

The Serb claims he asked the ITF if he could miss the test as he felt unwell.

"I put my trust in the Court of Arbitration of Sports in Lausanne. I really hope they will look for the truth and find it, which is only one," he said in a statement on his official website.

"I am innocent," he said.

"I have never ever taken any prohibited substance or ever thought of doing so. I did not lie and this really hurts."

Troiki must also give back his prize money from the Monte Carlo Masters and he must also forfeit his ranking points.

An ITF statement read: "Mr Troicki, a 27-year-old player from Serbia, was notified on 15 April 2013 that he had been selected to provide a urine sample and a blood sample in association with his participation at the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters event.

"Mr Troicki provided a urine sample, but did not provide a blood sample.

"He asserted to an independent tribunal that he was assured by the Doping Control Officer (DCO) that it would be acceptable not to provide a sample on account of him feeling unwell that day.

"However, the tribunal concluded that the DCO told Mr Troicki that she could not advise him as to whether his reason for not providing a blood sample was valid, and that no such assurances were given by her.

"Accordingly, the tribunal determined that Mr Troicki's actions constituted a failure and a refusal to provide a blood sample, and that his explanation for not doing so did not constitute compelling justification.

"However, the tribunal accepted that the stress that Mr Troicki was under at the time entitled him to mitigation."

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