June 16, 2021 — One in all America’s high runners says consuming a pork burrito most likely brought about a optimistic steroid check that resulted in her being banned from competing within the U.S. Olympic trials.
Shelby Houlihan, 28, competed for the U.S. within the 2016 summer season video games and holds American data for the 1,500- and 5,000-meter races. She was a favourite to win a medal at this yr’s summer season video games in Tokyo.
In an Instagram submit, she stated she realized Monday that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport had upheld her 4-year suspension.
“I really feel utterly devastated, misplaced, damaged, offended, confused and betrayed by the very sport that I’ve beloved and poured myself into simply to see how good I used to be,” she stated within the submit. “I wish to be very clear. I’ve by no means taken any efficiency enhancing substances. And that features that of which I’m being accused.”
Houlihan stated she acquired an e-mail in January from the Athletics Integrity Unit informing her {that a} Dec. 15, 2020, drug check got here again optimistic for nandrolone.
The Nationwide Institutes of Well being says nandrolone is an anabolic steroid analog of testosterone that may enhance nitrogen retention and fat-free muscle mass.
She stated she made a log of all the things she’d eaten throughout that point.
“We concluded that the almost certainly clarification was a burrito bought and consumed roughly 10 hours earlier than that drug check from an genuine Mexican meals truck that serves pig offal close to my home in Beaverton, Oregon,” she wrote.
“I’ve since realized that it has lengthy been understood by WADA (World Anti-Doping Company) that consuming pork can result in a false optimistic for nandrolone, since sure forms of pigs produce it naturally in excessive quantities. Pig organ meat (offal) has the best ranges of nandrolone,” she continued.
Houlihan appealed the suspension and stated she went as far as to take a polygraph check and have her hair sampled for proof of steroids, however the enchantment was rejected.
The New York Instances reported that Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, stated the case was dealt with correctly.
“After being charged by the AIU, Ms. Houlihan’s case was heard by a three-member panel on the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which made its resolution after listening to proof and arguments from the athlete’s attorneys and the AIU,” Clothier stated in an e-mail.
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