What has Purcell admitted to, and what is the offence?
Purcell, 26, with an outstanding doubles record and proven credentials in singles, has accepted a provisional suspension after what he admitted was unknowingly receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins above the permissible limit – a breach of the sport’s anti-doping regulations.
The suspension took effect on September 12, and Purcell is banned from doing anything in tennis associated with the ITIA. During his ban Purcell can’t play, coach or attend events.
The ITIA said Purcell had admitted to a breach of article 2.2 of the tennis anti-doping program, relating to the use of a “prohibited method”. Purcell, world No.12 in doubles and this year’s US Open champion (partnered with Australia’s Jordan Thompson), confirmed his situation on social media.
“I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml,” Purcell posted on Instagram. “Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I had received was above 100ml, I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods.”
Purcell said he told the clinic where he received the infusion that the IV treatment could not exceed the 100ml threshold because he was a professional athlete. It has not been revealed when and where the IV treatment occurred, or what vitamins were infused.
Max Purcell (left) and Jordan Thompson won the men’s doubles at the US Open.Credit: Getty Images
What is Purcell’s suspension, and why is it provisional?
Purcell’s request to enter a provisional suspension, a form of self-reporting, happened on December 10, the ITIA said, and it came into effect two days later. The ITIA said any time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction. Purcell’s case is not finalised and it’s unclear how long he could be sanctioned for. The Australian, the world No.105 singles player – a status that didn’t give him direct entry to the Australian Open main draw – is not expected to be able to play the first major of 2025 starting at Melbourne Park on January 12. The ITIA said because the Purcell matter was ongoing, it was “unable to offer any further comment until its conclusion”.
Why are intravenous treatments a concern for anti-doping authorities?
The WADA prohibited list specifies that IV infusions or injections are banned when they exceed the specified threshold, or unless they are done for legitimate medical purposes such as surgery. “Intravenous infusions or injections are not prohibited if they are legitimately received in the course of a hospital treatment, surgical procedure or clinical investigation or if they do not exceed 100 ml per 12-hour period,” WADA says. “Otherwise they require a therapeutic use exemption.”
“IVs can be used to change blood test results, mask urine test results or can allow prohibited substances to clear from the body quicker. So, to protect clean sport and athlete health and safety, there is a strict IV rule in place in the sporting world.”
Dr Naomi Speers
Sport Integrity Australia has warned professional athletes about the risks of IV treatments. “Sport Integrity Australia is aware of a number of wellness clinics offering IV infusions for wellbeing, lifestyle or hangover recovery purposes,” the agency said in a February 2022 blog post. “Athletes are warned that any IV infusion over 100ml of ANY substance can result in a doping violation and a ban from sport.
“There are exceptions for legitimate medical treatments or emergencies, but in general – vitamin infusions to improve your skin, or saline infusions to help you recover from a hangover are definitely not OK.”
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The SIA’s chief science officer, Dr Naomi Speers, explained that wellness clinics which offered IV vitamin services are not necessarily aware that their services could be prohibited in terms of professional sport. Speers said IV drips are a potential red flag for officials.
“Anything taken intravenously, has to be looked at very closely,” she said in the blog post, “as IVs can be used to change blood test results, mask urine test results or can allow prohibited substances to clear from the body quicker. So, to protect clean sport and athlete health and safety, there is a strict IV rule in place in the sporting world. Athletes who have an infusion or injection of any volume should keep a record of the contents and volume.”
What have other athletes done?
There are only other limited reports about star athletes and tennis professionals falling foul over IV drips. Little-known Russian player Daria Mishina’s use of a “prohibited method” was one of her offences in a doping case finalised last year. Mishina was suspended for three years over testosterone use.
“This is the player’s first doping violation,” the ITIA findings into Mishina read. “While the player has committed several anti-doping rule violations (ie, in respect of both presence and use of exogenous testosterone and the use of intravenous infusions above the permitted limit), TADP Article 10.9.4.1 provides they should be treated as one violation for the purposes of sanction because the player committed the second violation before she received notice of the first violation.”
Former champion US swimmer and multiple Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte copped a 14-month ban six years ago after inadvertently revealing an anti-doping violation on social media. Lochte posted a photo on Instagram of himself and his wife receiving vitamins in an IV drip. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) outlined the case.
Ryan Lochte’s social media photo showing him and his wife on IV drips.
“On May 24, 2018, Lochte, 33, posted an image on social media depicting himself receiving an intravenous infusion,” USADA said on its website. “A subsequent investigation by USADA, with which Lochte fully cooperated, revealed that Lochte received an intravenous infusion of permitted substances at an infusion clinic in a volume greater than 100 ml in a 12-hour period without a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).”
The offence was a wake-up call for Lochte. The veteran swimmer explained that he took the IV because both his wife and his son were ill and had recently visited hospitals, and that he didn’t want to get sick as well. “I wasn’t taking anything illegal,” Lochte said. “Everything was legal. You can get it at CVS, Walgreens, but there are rules, and you have to obey them. Don’t worry. I’m not giving up. I’m going to keep going.”
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He elaborated further to CBS. “A rule is a rule and I accept that there is a technical violation,” Lochte said. “I am hopeful other athletes will learn from my mistake and be mindful of this rule, as well as others.
“I’ve been swimming my whole life and I’ve been monitored by USADA for my entire competitive career,” Lochte said. “I have never taken a prohibited substance. I have never attempted to gain any advantage over my competition by putting anything illegal in my body. I would never do that.”
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