- Expert on doping expresses strong disapproval towards Sinner's not-guilty verdict.
Dope Expert Fritz Sörgel has issues with Tennis Number 1 Jannik Sinner potentially competing in the upcoming US Open in New York, despite his recent acquittal after two failed doping tests. He believes that USADA, led by Travis Tygart, should intervene and stop Sinner's participation, as Sörgel expressed in a Sky interview.
Sörgel also urges the Italian Anti-Doping Agency to take swift action, initially implementing an indefinite suspension, which would then be forwarded to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "In the meantime, Sinner should be suspended," the pharmacology professor insists. While a suspension of two to four years is theoretically possible, enforcing it would be "challenging." For Sörgel, the situation "definitely" has a questionable odor to it. "It stinks to high heaven," he told the "Sport1" portal.
Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol in March, as announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Tuesday. Despite the positive results, Sinner is not suspended, as an independent tribunal from the private dispute resolution body Sports Resolutions deemed Sinner was unknowingly using the steroid through a physiotherapist.
Sörgel suspects intentional doping
"This explanation is hard to swallow. It states on the label that a doping test would result in a positive result. The substance must have been used over an extended period to produce such values. A few days are not sufficient," Sörgel argued on Sky. He suspects deliberate doping.
The anabolic steroid is applied to the skin to promote healing. "It's perfect, because in low doses, it gets absorbed by the skin and goes directly to the site of inflammation or injury. The athlete then recovers faster. And if this is done for several weeks, that's simply doping," Sörgel explained. Clostebol sprays and creams are not approved in Germany.
If the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not intervene in such scenarios or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) fails to issue clear judgments, and acquittals follow similar cases due to similar arguments, "then it will always be the same. Now, a line needs to be drawn," Sörgel insisted on Sport1.
I'm not sure about the validity of Jannik Sinner's explanation for the positive doping test. I'm not sure if USADA should wait for CAS's decision before intervening in Sinner's case.
