The conclusion of a prolonged battle has seen tennis players Tara Moore and Barbara Gatica vindicated after being provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in May 2022. The players, initially facing accusations of doping violations, have been cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal due to the ingestion of contaminated meat.
Moore and Gatica were among those banned following positive tests for anabolic steroids—boldenone and nandrolone—during a WTA event in Colombia in April. Despite the suspensions, both athletes maintained their innocence and urged for further investigation into their cases.
Tara Moore, after finishing as a runner-up in the women’s doubles at the WTA 250 Copa Colsanitas, promptly requested the testing of the B sample while vehemently denying any intentional use of banned substances. She stated, “I have never knowingly taken a banned substance in my career. I am deeply saddened by the provisional suspension and hope to be back on the court as soon as possible.”
The recent exoneration by the ITIA confirmed that Moore and Gatica bore no fault or negligence for the adverse findings in their tests. The independent tribunal determined that contaminated meat consumed by the players before the sample collection was the root cause of the prohibited substances in their samples.
The ITIA issued a statement elucidating the situation: “The independent tribunal found that contaminated meat consumed by each player in the days before sample collection was the source of the prohibited substance(s) found in the players’ samples and, therefore, that both players bore No Fault or Negligence for their violations.”
Consequently, the provisional suspensions imposed on Moore and Gatica were immediately lifted, absolving them of any period of ineligibility. However, Gatica remains suspended from tennis due to separate Tennis Anti-Corruption Program offenses.
The ITIA also emphasized its commitment to inform all players about the risks of meat contamination in certain regions around the world.
Once ranked as high as No. 77 in women’s doubles, Moore’s provisional suspension caused her to drop out of the rankings. Earlier in 2023, Moore criticized the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) for not offering assistance in their doping battle, contrasting it with the support extended to former world No. 1 Simona Halep in a similar situation.
Moore sarcastically thanked the PTPA, stating, “Thanks PTPA for helping myself and Barbara Gatica too.”
The exoneration of Moore and Gatica highlights the complexities of anti-doping measures in sports and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure fairness and justice for athletes embroiled in such situations.
Barbara Gatica in 2023
LWLWWWWLWL Ranked world no.603, the Chilean played her last match on the 26th of May 2022 when she lost to world no.105 Sara Errani 4-6 6-1 6-1 in the 2nd round of the W60 Grado (draw).
Until now, during this year Barbara has achieved an overall 34-15 record.
