Australian doubles player outs himself over 'devastating' anti-doping breach
Australian tennis player Thomas Fancutt has taken to Instagram to explain himself after he was provisionally suspended for breaching the sport's anti-doping rules due to an intravenous infusion of vitamins.
Fancutt, 30, confirmed his suspension on social media on Tuesday and is the second Australian to be banned in months.
Doubles grand slam champion Max Purcell was the first after he "unknowingly received an IV infusion" that measured above the limit outlined in tennis' anti-doping rules. That limit is 100ml.
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Fancutt, the world No.123 in doubles, will be provisionally suspended from March 19.
"At the end of the 2024 season, I unknowingly violated an anti-doping rule by receiving a 500ml IV infusion to combat severe fatigue," he posted on Instagram.
Thomas Fancutt. Getty
"The contents of the infusion were solely Vitamin B, Vitamin C and magnesium. The IV infusion amount however exceeded 100mls which regardless of its contents is prohibited under anti doping regulations, something I was completely unaware of at the time.
"I have always taken great pride in being a clean athlete, and this situation has been devastating for me."
The risks of IV treatments have been highlighted by Sport Integrity Australia, who warned athletes about the practice.
Purcell said the clinic he went to went above the legal requirements without his knowledge and he remains suspended.
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"I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml," Purcell posted on Instagram in December.
"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.
"But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml."
Athletes have permission to use IV drips, but only when fluid is below a certain threshold and within a specific time period.
