The general director of the WADA explains why Sinner has indeed received a sanction

Mónica Barberán Munera | 18 Feb 2025 | 12.15

Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open 2025. Photo: Getty

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The case of Jannik Sinner, his process, and resolution have been one of the most controversial in recent times. Just look at the reactions worldwide regarding his three-month suspension imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Now, why was he sanctioned while the Japanese swimming team that participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was not? Remember that these 23 swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a prohibited substance found in the food they consumed at a restaurant. They were acquitted, and the WADA Director-General, Olivier Niggli, explained the difference between one case and the other on The Sports Ambassador podcast. "The main difference lies in the fact that, in one case, individuals consume a meal and test positive for a small amount of a substance. In the other, an athlete has their own employee, who holds responsibility, making the mistake theirs," the executive concluded. Thus, it is clear that the level of responsibility of the world number 1 was crucial in receiving that three-month suspension.

What's the difference in the anti-doping cases between #Sinner and the 23 Chinese swimmers? I asked the @wada_ama Director-General Olivier Niggli a few days ago for this week's podcast, not knowing a 'negotiated suspension' was going to be announced this week.#doping… pic.twitter.com/AEcAsPY52e
— Tracey Holmes (@TraceyLeeHolmes) February 17, 2025