Triathlon standout Imogen Simmonds expressed immense relief after being cleared of a doping violation despite testing positive for a banned substance. The 32-year-old athlete faced suspension earlier this year by the International Testing Agency (ITA) for detecting ligandrol in her system.
According to the ITA, ligandrol is a prohibited substance that enhances muscle growth and physical performance, both in and out of competition. However, following a thorough investigation, a verdict of ‘no guilt or negligence’ was reached, allowing Simmonds to resume competition without any penalties.
In a statement shared on social media, Simmonds shared her relief over the ITA’s decision to clear her name in connection to the out-of-competition doping control test. She explained that the presence of ligandrol in her urine sample was due to incidental exposure through intimate contact with her partner, who unknowingly used supplements containing the banned substance.
The ITA confirmed that Simmonds demonstrated no fault or negligence in the adverse analytical finding, thus lifting any eligibility restrictions and permitting her immediate return to competition. Since the sample was collected out-of-competition, there are no competitive outcomes to annul.
Despite the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Simmonds is focusing on her triathlon career, with ten victories to her credit. Despite a setback in rankings, she is determined to resume her competitive journey, with her last notable performance being a fourth-place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand.
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