World no.1 in the men’s singles tennis, Jannik Sinner, has resumed playing tennis. On the comeback trail after serving a three-month ban, Sinner, last Sunday, lost the final of the Italian Open to Carlos Alcaraz. The 23-year-old will be in Paris soon as he aims to win his maiden French Open title.
In February this year, Sinner agreed a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for an immediate three-month suspension from professional tennis. Sinner tested positive, twice, last year for the banned substance Clostebol.
How Sinner managed to restrict the ban for three months when WADA was initially seeking a ban for three years makes for a fascinating read. But in this article we will try to understand what is Clostebol.
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What is Clostebol?
Clostebol is an anabolic steroid that helps athletes to build muscle mass. According to clevelandclinic.org “Anabolic steroids are medications that are manufactured forms of testosterone”. Technically these compounds are called anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Anabolic means tissue building and androgenic refers to a group of sex hormones called androgens.
Medlineplus.gov explains “that bodybuilders and athletes use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance”.
How are anabolic steroids taken/consumed by athletes?
Athletes typically consume these compounds in tablet or capsule form. In other cases, steroids are administered via injections. An article on anabolic steroids published by health.ny.gov says that some athletes also tend to mix “two or more anabolic steroids together” or sometimes add other drugs to the concoction. This phenomenon is called “stacking.”
What happens if an athlete is tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
Under Article 7.4.1 of World Anti-Doping Code when an athlete is tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids she/he faces a mandatory provisional suspension. The athlete has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.
In Sinner’s case, he appealed against the suspension, twice, and was able to provide an explanation on how the substance entered his system. Sinner said that Clostebol entered his system via massages from his physiotherapist. According to an Associated Press report, Sinner’s fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, bought Trofodermin and passed it on to Giacomo Naldi, Sinner’s physiotherapist. Naldi had suffered a cut on a finger. Trofodermin is applied to manage bacterial skin infections and inflammatory skin conditions.
In Italy, the report says, Trofodermin comes with a warning that comes inside the box. The warning reads: “For those taking part in sports: use of the drug without therapeutic needs constitutes doping and can result in positive anti-doping tests.”
The authorities accepted this reasoning.
Disclaimer:
The information regarding Jannik Sinner’s case is based on reported events and the provided details. This article aims to explain the substance Clostebol and general anti-doping procedures, and does not constitute a legal analysis or definitive statement on the specifics of any individual case. For specific medical or legal inquiries, please consult with qualified experts.
Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk
