International Testing Agency apologizes to cyclist Valentina Cavallar

The International Testing Agency (ITA) has issued an apology to Austrian cyclist Valentina Cavallar following a doping control conducted at her home on the same day her mother passed away.

Cavallar, a climber for SD Worx-Protime, shared her experience on social media, describing the difficulty of undergoing a surprise out-of-competition test in a room adjacent to where her mother’s body lay.

The ITA stated that neither the agency nor the doping control officer (DCO) was aware of the death prior to arriving at the residence. According to the agency, the officer learned of the passing upon arrival. The ITA noted that Cavallar and her family cooperated with the procedure and did not request a postponement or cancellation. The agency emphasized that the officer attempted to handle the situation as discreetly and respectfully as possible, but acknowledged that the timing added significant distress to an already painful moment.