Imogen Simmonds: Sex is to blame for false doping suspicions

The Swiss professional triathlete Imogen Simmonds, who was suspected of doping, has been acquitted. The doping authority “International Testing Agency” (ITA) followed the 32-year-old’s argument that the banned substance had entered her body through sex with her boyfriend. The ITA said in its ruling that the positive result was caused by “accidental contamination through close contact with her partner”. Because of this, she has been cleared of “any guilt or negligence” and can now take part in competitions again.

A metabolite of the anabolic agent Ligandrol, which promotes muscle building and bone density, was detected in the former Ironman European champion during a test on December 8, 2024 before the World Cup over half the Ironman distance in New Zealand.

Simmonds denied taking it and said she didn’t know how the substance got into her body. According to her, research revealed that her long-term partner was taking the drug to improve her physique. Hair samples confirmed that she had never taken Ligandrol, but her partner’s test was positive.

In addition, doping tests on her six days before and 22 days after the test were negative with positive results. She was also intimate with her partner on the day of the positive test and the day before. Their lawyers came to the conclusion that the substance had been transmitted through bodily fluids. The doping authority now followed this argument.

After months of silence, Simmonds shared the ITA’s decision on Instagram and wrote: “At that time, the world I had built around myself my entire professional career collapsed. The loss of my identity and dignity caused me enormous pain and inner turmoil.”