Published on August 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. – updated on August 21, 2024 at 7:02 p.m. Mathieu Warnier
While he supported Simona Halep from a scientific point of view, toxicologist Jean-Claude Alvarez said he was stunned by the management of the positive tests undergone by Jannik Sinner last March, which were not the subject of a communication and a provisional suspension.
It’s a case that tennis could have done without. This Tuesday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) lifted the veil on two positive tests for clostebol undergone by Jannik Sinner during the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells last March. However, what is causing a lot of reaction is the lack of communication and precautionary suspension concerning this affair affecting the world number 1. But it is not only in the sporting sphere that reactions are strong. While he scientifically supported the cases of Simona Halep and Ysaora Thibus, toxicologist Jean-Claude Alvarez spoke at length in an interview with RMC Sport. If he considers that The theory of contamination through the skin put forward by the Italian is “entirely possible” because it has already been proven, the director of the toxicology laboratory of the Garches University Hospital is surprised by the fact that“There is not the same procedure for everyone” remembering what Simona Halep has experienced in recent months.
Alvarez highlights non-compliance with procedure
« It has been scientifically proven that she was contaminatedThe procedure lasted 18 months, he said. It was provisionally suspended for 18 months. She has asked five or six times for her provisional suspension to be lifted, and it has always been refused.. “In his eyes, this is preferential treatment that Jannik Sinner has benefited from.” He was allowed to lift his provisional suspension for five months. “, regretted Jean-Claude Alvarez. Another problem raised by the toxicologist is the non-compliance with the procedure in such a case. ” I remind you that it is mandatory, according to the rules, to publish a positive casehe said during this interview. You are positive, you are suspended immediately, especially since It is an unspecified substance, an anabolic. There is nothing worse in doping. You are suspended immediately. Then you have to prove your good faith, and it is published.” For the toxicologist, there is only one way to prove absolutely that Jannik Sinner was contaminated and that any recourse to doping can be ruled out: hair analysis.
Alvarez hopes for analysis of Sinner’s hair
“I hope he had hair analysis, but I haven’t seen it yet,” Jean-Claude Alvarez said. I hope that hair tests have been done to show that it is not doping, but just contamination.. That is to say, he had very small doses that did nothing to him.” This difference in treatment between Simona Halep and Jannik Sinner absolutely makes the director of the toxicology laboratory at Garches University Hospital jump, who “finds it so shameful.” Regarding the Romanian, The doctor assures that “she does not understand why they have been so relentless in their efforts to target her” and calls for the system to change because “all the rules have been flouted.” Highlighting that Jannik Sinner was able to continue playing when the Romanian was sidelined for many months, Jean-Claude Alvarez concluded by stating that if “the court recognized her contamination”, The former world number 1 remains considered “a former doper”, adding that “it’s scandalous”In any case, the affair surrounding Jannik Sinner raises many questions and seems to clearly demonstrate the limits of the fight against doping in tennis.
