Legendary swimmer Federica Pellegrini blasts ITIA for verdict on compatriot Jannik Sinner as ‘athlete is responsible regardless’ unintentional doping
Federica Pellegrini questioned the ITIA for not giving a harsh punishment to compatriot Jannik Sinner for failing a drug test.
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Federica Pellegrini, Jannik Sinner (Images via Olympics, X)
Former swimmer Federica Pellegrini criticized the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) verdict on Jannik Sinner‘s doping case. Pellegrini doesn’t hold Sinner responsible, but questioned the anti-doping agency on why they took a different stance on Sinner when many tennis players in the past were given severe punishments for unintentional doping.
Sinner tested positive for clostebol twice in March and faced two provisional suspensions which didn’t affect his schedule at all. As he failed the drug test around Indian Wells, the prize money he won after reaching the semifinals was taken away.
The fact that Sinner escaped a long ban put him and the ITIA in hot water. Pellegrini pointed out how players, despite accidental contamination, had served lengthy bans because they, though were innocent, were always held responsible for it.
I am curious to understand. I am convinced that he did not voluntarily take doping substances, but that is not the point. Up to now, they have always told us that the athlete is responsible regardless. Now it seems that there are circumstances in which this may not be the case and the matter becomes slippery.
Federica Pellegrini said during an interview with La Stampa
Sinner, in spite of ITIA’s ruling that he bore no fault or negligence, could be handed a ban as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to demand the ban.
Jannik Sinner reacts after being named fans’ favorite for the second time in a row
Jannik Sinner took to X to thank the fans after he became Fans Favorite of the Year in singles in the ATP Awards for the second consecutive time. Sinner has ended the 2024 season as the most successful player, winning eight titles, including two Grand Slam titles (Australian Open and US Open).
He led Italy to their second Davis Cup title for the second time on the trot. Apart from these titles, the 23-year-old also bagged $6 million by winning the Six Kings Slam award by defeating Carlos Alcaraz.
Thank you to all the fans around the world for voting for me. Winning this award for the second time means so much to me, especially because it’s coming directly from you.
Jannik Sinner wrote on X
Check out his post here:
Thank you to all the fans around the world for voting for me. Winning this award for the second time means so much to me, especially because it’s coming directly from you ?? https://t.co/nQ2myEmdPa
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) December 11, 2024
Before Sinner, Rafael Nadal claimed the award in 2022, while Swiss maestro Roger Federer was awarded it 19 times (from 2003 to 2021). Gustavo Kuerten and Marat Safin also claimed the award.
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Gouri Das
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