Professional triathlete Imogen Simmonds is involved in a doping case.

Positive doping test – because of sex with your partner?

In the world of sport, a doping case is making big headlines because the accused's reasoning is strange.

27. February 2025

From: dpa

Swiss professional triathlete Imogen Simmonds has blamed her partner for a positive doping test result. The 31-year-old former Ironman European champion explained in a long statement on Instagram that she had tested positive in a test on December 8, 2024, before the World Championships over the half Ironman distance in New Zealand.

A metabolite of Ligandrol was found that promotes muscle growth and bone density. At the time, she had no idea how the drug got into her body. However, research revealed that her long-term partner was taking the drug to improve his physique. Hair samples confirmed that she had never taken Ligandrol, but her partner's test was positive.

Intimate acts on the day of the positive result

Simmonds explained in her statement on Instagram that she had been intimate with her partner on the day of the positive test and the day before. Because doping tests on her six days before and 22 days after the positive test were negative, she and her lawyers concluded that the substance had been transmitted through bodily fluids.