Paris 2024 Olympic Games: accused of doping, Ysaora Thibus claims to have been “exposed by contamination” to the doping product

Ysaora Thibus a été éliminée de la dernière Coupe du Monde de fleuret en janvier dernier. MAXPPP – Le Parisien/Arnaud Journois

Suspendue pour dopage début février, la fleurettiste Ysaora Thibus, grand espoir de la France pour les Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024, a communiqué ce mardi 20 février sur un élément de défense. 

The foilist Ysaora Thibus, suspended since February 8 after a positive test for ostarine, indicated Tuesday in a press release that she "was exposed by contamination" to the product, generally used to increase muscle mass.

She denies "with the greatest firmness" 

Ysaora Thibus, who could miss the Olympic Games this summer in Paris, denied "with the greatest firmness" s'be administered "the slightest doping substance" and chose to "forgo the analysis of sample B" as part of an accelerated procedure, to have a chance of being present at the Olympic Games: “At 156 days before the Olympic Games, it is imperative so that I can present my defense."

"I do not question the results of the analysis of sample 'A' d&# “as much as it appears from the explorations carried out by my team that I was indeed exposed by contamination, in spite of myself, during the period of the control,” observes the 32-year-old shooter, vice-president. Olympic team champion in Tokyo.

"However, I still deny with the greatest firmness that any doping substance was administered to me,” she continues.

"My team and I are moving in the right direction and we have already been able to identify the probable origin of this contamination despite my daily vigilance and precautions", a- she added. "This is what we will endeavor to demonstrate to the International Fencing Federation and thus prove my innocence".

A headliner at the Paris Olympics

Ostarine, an anabolic agent present on the list of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, had been detected in the positive sample of the 2022 world champion , following a check carried out on January 14 during a World Cup stage in Paris.

On this occasion, the French team led by Ysaora Thibus took second place.

Following this positive test, Thibus was therefore suspended, a huge blow to French fencing, the athlete being one of its leaders# 39;poster and one of the great chances of a medal in Paris.

Ysaora Thibus, who had expressed her "astonishment" after the announcement of her positive test, declared that she was continuing her preparation to participate in the Olympic Games this summer (July 26 – August 11), so that her "dream” is "a reality and that nothing, especially not an injustice, can prevent it".