Imogen Simmonds' doping: her explanation
Imogen Simmonds, seventh in the world ranking of the PTO and known for its outstanding participation in tests HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3, is going through one of the most difficult moments of his career: a positive test for ligandrol detected on December 8, 2024 in an out-of-competition test.
However, the Swiss triathlete claims that she never consumed this substance and attributes the discovery to the transfer of bodily fluids during an intimate encounter with her partner, who had been taking ligandrol.
Anti-doping control before the 70.3 World Cup
On December 8, 2024, a few days before the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship held in Taupo (New Zealand), the Swiss triathlete Imogen Simmonds She was subjected to an out-of-competition doping control.
The result was made public just a few hours ago, confirming a positive result that has left her temporarily suspended.
The discovery of the substance and its origin
The substance in question was ligandrol, known to have testosterone-like effects.
Its detection in picogram levels has generated a great stir in the world of triathlon, since Imogen Simmonds had just closed an impeccable year.
In fact, she finished fourth in the Taupo race and was seventh in the PTO world rankings, after performing well in races such as the T100 in London, San Francisco, Ibiza and the Dubai final.
The Swiss woman's stance on the accusations
The own Imogen Simmonds, 31, maintains that he has never intentionally taken ligandrol.
His theory is based on the fact that, without knowing it, his partner consumed this substance to improve his physical condition.
According to him, the intimate contact between the two on the day of the test would have transferred traces of ligandrol to his body.
To support this explanation, he presented hair analysis: his was negative, while his partner's confirmed the presence of ligandrol on the same dates.
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Provisional suspension and possible sanction
For now, the triathlete is under a provisional suspension that could lead to a more severe sanction if the competent authorities do not accept her arguments.
According to her, her legal team is working against the clock to prove cross-contamination and avoid a sanction that, in the worst case, could cost her several months - or years - away from professional competition.
Imogen Simmonds She says she has always been a firm believer in clean sport and that this situation has her in a nightmare from which she hopes to emerge stronger.
Throughout his career, he had successfully passed numerous tests, both in and out of competition, without any trace of prohibited substances being found.
Impact on the IRONMAN circuit
This event impacts not only the athlete, but also the calendar IRONMAN in general, where the Swiss had established herself as one of the most consistent triathletes in recent years.
Fans of the sport are awaiting an official ruling, while the triathlon community debates the possibility that something as unusual as fluid transfer could be the cause of a positive result.
In any case, the outcome of the investigation will be decisive for the sporting career of Imogen Simmonds and could set a precedent in terms of anti-doping controls.
We will have to wait for the final verdict from IRONMAN and ITA to know the future of this triathlete who, until now, had written her story based on effort and outstanding results.
