The ITF and WTA defend Lucic in French drug case

Courtesy B. Mitchell
By Etienne Stekelenburg
November 16 2002

Mirjana Lucic, whose drug test came out positive at the French Open, is getting support from The ITF and The WTA Tour. Both organisations won’t recognise the one-month suspension given by the French Council to Prevent and Fight Doping.

In a statement released by The International Tennis Federation on November 15 they respond to the announcement made by the French Counsil to Prevent and Fight Doping.

The ITF disagrees with the unilateral decision made by the French Council to sanction Croatian Mirjana Lucic for the use of doping at the 2002 Roland Garros French Open. According to the ITF they don’t believe Lucic was using doping due to the fact she had a valid Medical Exemption during the 2002 French Open.

A Medical Exemption was granted to her on 10 May 2002 for the use of Bupropion for the period to 31 May 2002.The Medical Exemption was granted after two doctors of the independent Review Board had examined Lucic’ case on request of Mirjana Lucic’ physician. This was all done according to the rules and regulations of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

Mirjana Lucic underwent the anti doping test conducted by the ITF on May 29 2002 during Roland Garros. The ITF did have an agreement on testing procedures and protocols during Roland Garros but the French authorities decided not to use the ITF’s legitimate Medical Exemption granted to Lucic.

The Sanex WTA Tour fully supports The ITF in their statement since the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is jointly administrated by the ITF, the ATP and the Sanex WTA tour.

“We are gravely concerned about the CPLD’s decision in this case,” said Sanex WTA Tour CEO Kevin Wulff. “It is completely at odds with the purpose of any legitimate anti-doping programme and strongly suggests that the CPLD is focused on priorities other than drug free sport and athlete health. We offer our complete support to Mirjana Lucic and her family in this situation.”

The International Olympic Committee has removed Bupropion from the IOC list of banned substances but is only effective since 1 January 2003. The substance will also be removed from the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme list on that same date.