What is Trimetazidine and why Iga Swiatek probably took it?
Iga Swiatek tested positive for Trimetazidine which was banned by the WADA in 2014 because of its performance-enhancement.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via X)
Iga Swiatek has received a one-month doping ban from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for the prohibited substance Trimetazidine (TMZ). The ITIA announced the suspension on Thursday (November 28) after ruling that World No. 2 had the lowest end of fault in the substance entering her body.
This comes after just more than four months ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was declared no fault or negligence by the ITIA after testing positive for clostebol. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), demanding that the Italian be banned for months.
However, in Swiatek’s case, it may not lead to that point as she has already served a 22-day ban while the process was ongoing. The five-time Grand Slam champion tested positive for the substance on September 12, a month after an out-of-competition sample was taken.
To understand the substance, Trimetazidine is a heart medication normally used to enhance blood flow to the heart and limit quick changes in blood pressure. It helps lessen chest pain and prevent blood vessels from being blocked. Nonetheless, the drug did require a prescription in Poland and several EU countries, which means it was prescribed to Swiatek by her doctor.
Nevertheless, Swiatek has not revealed why she took the substance. But she has served her provisional suspension, missing the Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open, which eventually led her to lose her World No. 1 position in the process. At the time she withdrew from the three events, Swiatek wrote that her absence was due to personal reasons.
Since Swiatek’s provisional suspension began on October 4, it is slated to end on December 4. The ban was lifted in November, allowing her to compete at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga.
Why is TMZ banned in sports?
In 2014, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned the use of Trimetazidine in all sports. The reason given was that despite its good sides, it contains performance-enhancing effects. TMZ is classified as a hormone and metabolic modulator and enhances the body to perform more physical tasks by improving heart function.
As the drug is typically taken twice a day in pill form, it helps the overall endurance of the body system. For athletes in physically demanding sports like tennis, using TMZ is like an added advantage as it enables better oxygen utilization than for other players. In fact, the drug is not legal in the US because it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
However, several athletes who have tested positive for this banned substance in the past have been banned. In Iga Swiatek’s case, the ITIA revealed that she had “no significant fault or negligence” in the use of TMZ, and it was not intentional.
Despite the doping case, Swiatek’s image may still remain intact after her consistent performance on the court in the first half of the season. The Polish star won five titles this year, including the French Open and three WTA 1000 titles.
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Victor Okechukwu
(688 Articles Published)