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| ITF Press Release |
| Decision in the case of Kristof Michils |
London, England, 25 Sep 2009 - The International Tennis Federation announced today that Kristof Michils, a 36-year old Belgian, has been found to have committed a Doping Offence under Article C.1 of the 2009 Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (presence of a Prohibited Substance in player’s Sample).
A sample provided by Mr Michils on 30 July 2009 at the Invacare World Team Cup in Nottingham, England, contained a metabolite of Cannabis. Cannabis and its metabolites are Prohibited Substances under WADA’s 2009 List of Prohibited Substances and are therefore also prohibited under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
The ITF found that there had been no intent on the part of Mr Michils to enhance his sporting performance by the taking of Cannabis, and therefore, because Cannabis is classified as a “Specified Substance”, exercised the discretion conferred under Article M.4 of the Programme to depart from the standard two-year period of Ineligibility that would otherwise have applied.
The ITF confirmed the commission of a Doping Offence and determined that Mr Michils should be suspended from participation in tennis for a period of two months, commencing on 25 September and ending at midnight on 24 November, and that his results from the Invacare World Team Cup in Nottingham, England, should be disqualified.
The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is a comprehensive and internationally recognised anti-doping programme that applies to all players competing at tournaments sanctioned by the ITF, ATP and WTA Tour. Players are tested for substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and upon a finding that a Doping Offence has been committed sanctions are imposed in accordance with the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code. More background information on the Programme, sanctions, tennis statistics and related information can be found at www.itftennis.com/antidoping.
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