In a unique ruling from USADA, Virgina Fuchs, a female boxer tested positive for a prohibited substance as a result of sexual transmission and will not be sanctioned.
From USADA:
“While the World Anti-Doping Code requires that this no fault finding be considered a violation and be publicly announced, we strongly believe this case and others like it, including meat contamination and prescription medication contamination cases, should be considered no violation,” said Travis T. Tygart, Chief Executive Officer of USADA. “We will continue to advocate for changes to the World Anti-Doping Code so that where there is no intent to cheat and no performance benefit, an athlete should not face any violation or unnecessary public attention.”
During a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Fuchs’ case, USADA determined that Fuchs’ male partner was using therapeutic doses of letrozole and GW1516 and the low amounts of letrozole metabolite and GW1516 metabolites detected in her sample were consistent with recent exposure to the substances via sexual transmission. Additionally, a WADA-accredited laboratory confirmed that products possessed by Fuchs’ partner contained therapeutic amounts of letrozole and GW1516.
Payout Perspective:
A unique and necessary finding albeit it might be a little embarrassing for Fuchs as her personal life was exposed. But the good news is that there was a level of tracing and investigation instead of Fuchs having to negotiate with USADA for a lesser sanction. Also, she was not given a period of ineligibility.
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