❌

Lese-Ansicht

Vondrousova’s antics put tennis doping tests in spotlight – a far cry from football’s view | Tumaini Carayol

Former Wimbledon champion’s suspension comes as Mykhailo Mudryk returns for Chelsea, exposing stark contrast in processes

In the months between the first announcement of Marketa Vondrousova’s doping test refusal and the release of the full reasoned decision after her four‑year ban, the 2023 Wimbledon champion did her best to grab hold of the narrative. Between her social media posts and later interviews, Vondrousova explained that she had serious concerns about her safety during the encounter, that the doping control officer at her door had acted improperly, and that her mental health problems had affected her judgment.

Then came the 58-page document, a summary of the court tribunal process, which was finally released a little over a week ago. Among the ample questionable decisions it showed Vondrousova to have made that evening, the text to her boyfriend shortly after the doping control officer arrived was particularly revealing, an indication that she felt disdain towards the tester rather than fear: “So like here is ringing some cunt from the doping,” she wrote.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Sean M Haffey/Getty Images

© Photograph: Sean M Haffey/Getty Images

© Photograph: Sean M Haffey/Getty Images

  •  

Enhanced Games could tempt more young people into doping, Wada warns

  • Event ‘goes against everything Wada stands for’

  • Inaugural competition is on Sunday in Las Vegas

The World Anti-Doping Agency says it is concerned that Enhanced Games’ athletes will tempt more young people into using performance-enhancing drugs.

The stark warning comes before the controversial $50m event in Las Vegas on Sunday, which allows competitors to take banned drugs – and offers huge prizes if they win races and break world records.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters

© Photograph: Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters

© Photograph: Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters

  •  

Russia’s sporting return on hold for inquiry into official’s alleged role in doping cover-up

  • Wada looking into allegations relating to Rusada chief

  • IOC recommends lifting of ban on Belarusians competing

Russia’s return to international sport has been delayed following allegations that its head of anti-doping was involved in covering up drug test results at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

While the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday that athletes from Belarus should now be free to compete under their own flag and anthem, it admitted it still had “concern” over Russia.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

© Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

© Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

  •  

‘Penis injection’ claims in Winter Olympics ski jumping investigated by Wada

  • Bild claims acid injections used to alter jumpers’ suits

  • ‘If anything was to come to the surface we’d look at it’

During its 26-year history, the World Anti-Doping Agency has faced thousands of questions about athletes using illicit substances. Thursday, however, surely marked the first time it was asked whether ski jumpers were injecting their penises with hyaluronic acid in order to fly further.

The Wada president Witold Banka’s reaction? “Ski jumping is very popular in Poland [Banka’s home country] so I promise you I’m going to look at it,” he said, with a wry smile.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Maxim Thore/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Maxim Thore/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Maxim Thore/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock

  •  

Global anti-doping chief admits drugs cheats in sport are escaping detection

  • Howman: ‘We are not effective enough at catching cheats’

  • Former Wada director general urges more ambition

One of the most senior figures in global anti-doping has warned that too many drug cheats in sport are evading detection – and criticised the current system as “ineffective”.

David Howman, the former director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and the chair of the Athletics Integrity Unit, urged anti-doping bodies to be more ambitious in catching elite athletes again rather than focusing on compliance issues.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: YONHAP/EPA

© Photograph: YONHAP/EPA

© Photograph: YONHAP/EPA

  •  
❌