‘Double Standards’ Unveiled as Iga Swiatek Drama Sparks Debate on Russian Figure Skater’s Controversial Olympics Ban

Iga Swiatek tested positive for low traces of a banned substance (TMZ) in an out-of-competition test conducted before the 2024 Cincinnati Open. She was even handed a provisional suspension on September 12, which successfully appealed on September 22. Then on October 4, the provisional suspension was lifted, and her period of ineligibility will end on December 4. Thankfully for Swiatek, her level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for “no significant fault or negligence.” Hence, her suspension will not affect the start of the new season. However, this decision has now sparked up a “double standard” debate in the tennis world.

There have been some mixed reactions coming in from the tennis world on Iga Swiatek’s doping controversy. For example, players like Simona Halep recently penned down a long note highlighting the difference in treatment. Even the Canadian star, Denis Shapovalov, looked a bit surprised with a one-month ban. Tara Moore also expressed her disbelief on social media by saying, “Wait… so she was supposed to be suspended until Dec 4th yet played BJK Cup… which was (correct me if I’m wrong) LAST WEEK. HOW WAS SHE ALLOWED TO PLAY WHILST BEING SUSPENDED??? Someone plz explain cause I’m spiralling. @jon_wertheim @Tennis @TennisChannel.“

John Wertheim was also spotted raising some question marks about the overall procedures in these types of cases. Recently, a renowned Russian tennis coach, Viktor Yanchuk said that Iga Swiatek needs to be closely mentioned in connection with a violation of anti-doping rules. “It seems that the one-month punishment of Swiatek is a double standard. We need to know the details exactly, how accidental, intentional, and serious it is. These details are of paramount importance. But if we do not take the details and do not delve into anything, then this is a sad fact. After all, a banned substance was found in the world’s leading tennis player, and also an inadequate punishment compared to Valieva. Questions arise! But there is no answer to them,” said Yanchuk in a recent interview.

For those who are unaware, at the end of January, the CAS disqualified Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva for four years, for violating anti-doping rules. Viktor Yanchuk further stressed how Iga Swiatek now needs to put under strict, tight, and personal control and regularly take samples so that she excludes this possibility and competes for equality with everyone. “There must be purity in sports. If this comes up again, then we need to fight with all the severity of the law,” he added.

Amid all these backlashes, one may wonder if anyone stood beside the five-time Grand Slam champion in her tough times. Well, we saw Naomi Osaka and Magdalena Frech showcasing their support towards Iga Swiatek in her recent IG post. Even, the American ski racer, Lindsay Vonn reacted to Swiatek’s video. She wrote, “We know your character and your fans know it too. We have your back!” Did her new coach, Wim Fissette say anything on this controversial topic?

Finally, Iga Swiatek’s coach Wim Fissette breaks his silence on the doping controversy

In an IG post, we saw Iga Swiatek defending her innocence through an emotional note to her fans. She said, “In the last 2.5 months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question. Both me and my Team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety.” Swiatek also pleaded with her fans saying, “My biggest hope is that you will stay with me.“

Despite trying to prove her innocence time and again, players like Nick Kyrgios recently portrayed his agreement with Yevgeny Kafelnikov about players nowadays setting “a bad example to younger generations.” Well, comments like this will keep on coming especially when the player is one of the best in the world. We saw that in Jannik Sinner’s case as well! Don’t know who’s right or wrong, but these incidents surely raise quite a few question marks.

Talking about question marks, did her new coach, Wim Fissette know about this before finalizing his partnership with Iga Swiatek? In reply to this Fissette said, “Trust is a foundation of good relationships in our team from the very beginning. (Iga Swiatek) told me about the case and left me the decision about our cooperation.“

He further added that Swiatek’s work ethic and values were enough for him to be confident about her innocence. Therefore, the positive tests didn’t make much impact on their collaboration. He also highlighted how the situation was “extremely stressful and difficult” at that time, but Fissette believes Iga Swiatek is a “fighter on and off the court” and this was “another thought battle she won.” Share your thoughts on this doping controversy featuring the former world number one.