American boxer Virginia Fuchs has been cleared of using banned performance-enhancing drugs by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after she successfully argued that banned substances found their way into her system through unprotected sex.
Fuchs failed a doping test but will not be punished after the governing body determined the violation had been caused by two substances transmitted by her boyfriend through sex.
USADA added that the trace amounts of the banned substances found in Fuchs’ system were consistent with sexual transmission, after an investigation which proved that the American did not intentionally cheat.
Fuchs, who is now cleared to continue her dream of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – where she intends to compete in the flyweight division – was understandably pleased with the decision.
“I am very relieved that USADA understood how unique my case was in giving me a ‘no fault’ (ruling) that allows me to resume my career immediately,” Fuchs said in a statement issued by USA Boxing.
“I had no idea that I could become contaminated by way of intimate contact with another person. I want to thank USA Boxing for believing in me and supporting me throughout these past few difficult months.”
“I was in complete shock and had no idea where they (the banned substances) had come from.
“I’ve learnt a lesson about this now and I want other athletes to learn from my mistake.
“I’m just grateful it’s behind me and I can now focus on my preparation for Tokyo,” she said.
Fuchs has served recently as captain of the U.S. Olympic team, which returned to Colorado Springs this week for its first training camp since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
USA Boxing said it ‘stands as a strong partner with USADA for clean sport’ and added it ‘fully supports USADA’s finding in this very unique case which led to the ‘no fault’ finding’.
Fuchs was one of 13 boxers who qualified for the US Olympic team before the Games were postponed because of COVID-19. She will have to qualify for a final position later this year if the Olympics go ahead as planned in 2021.
