The world number 53, was banned for failing to provide a blood sample during the Monte Carlo Masters in April this year.
In the statement from ITF, it says, "Mr Troicki, a 27 year old player from Serbia, was notified on 15 April 2013, that he had been selected to provide a urine sample and a blood sample in association with his participation at the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters event.
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| Viktor Troicki - dreamstime.com |
"Mr Troicki provided a urine sample, but did not provide a blood sample.
"He asserted to an independent tribunal that he was assured by the Doping Control Officer (DCO) that it would be acceptable not to provide a sample on account of him feeling unwell that day.
"However, the tribunal concluded that the DCO told Mr Troicki that she could not advise him as to whether his reason for not providing a blood sample was valid, and that no such assurances were given by her.
The ITF staement continued, "Accordingly, the tribunal determined that Mr Troicki's actions constituted a failure and a refusal to provide a blood sample, and that his explanation for not doing so did not constitute compelling justification.
"However, the tribunal accepted that the stress that Mr Troicki was under at the time entitled him to mitigation," the organisation concluded.
In his reaction in a press conference on thursday, Viktor Troicki, said that this situation is the toughest moment of his career and life.
"This is the toughest moment of my career and of my life. I am innocent."
"I have never ever taken any prohibited substance or ever thought of doing so. I did not lie and this really hurts," the player said.
"I put my trust in the Court of Arbitration of Sports in Lausanne. I really hope they will look for the truth and find it, which is only one."
He claimed that he was not well that day. He also said in his official website that he has always been afraid of niddles and drawing of blood but that he has given blood before five times.
He said that the doctor in charge of the testing told him that he looked pale and ill and that he could skip the test if he wrote an explanation letter to ITF about it. The player claimed that the doctor even dictated the letter to him and then let him go without giving blood. "She was very helpful and understanding."
Mr Troicki, said that doping rules are strict and believes they should remain strict. Then reffering to his situation he said, "But this was a clear mistake from the on-site doping control officer who was also a doctor, and the person in charge to decide. She let me go and reassured me."
The player gave his opinion as to why the DCO turned her back on him at the tribunal. "In my opinion once she found out that she didn't follow the procedures she turned her back on me."
In anycase he has indicated that he would be appealing the ruling to Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).
Who is to be blamed here, the player who gave urine but not blood or the doping control officer who allowed him to leave without drawing his blood?
I get it, there are people who are afraid of niddles and blood, but for goodness sake this player's livelihood depended on his career and is not like he has never done it
before. He said in his website that he has given blood five times before, so why did he refuse to do it on the said date? Being unwell is not a good reason not to give blood. He knows the rule of the sport. You must give blood and urine whenever you are selected.
I think both of them are to be blamed, the DCO should not have allowed him to leave the testing room without giving the blood as requested by ITF. If he gave blood, it won't kill him. Every day people who are not well go to doctor and often times their blood are taken and they do not die.
As I said, both of them has to share in the blame. What do you think?
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