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Gabi Garcia On Positive Test For Banned Substance Clomiphene: ‘I’m Innocent. It Was Cross-Contamination From A Supplement I Took’

Gabi Garcia On Positive Test For Banned Substance Clomiphene: ‘I’m Innocent. It Was Cross-Contamination From A Supplement I Took’

 
The USADA released a statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, that the 2013 Worlds female open class and heavyweight silver medalist, Gabrielle Garcia tested positive for the prohibited substance Clomiphene and was stripped of her championship title.

Clomiphene is a drug on the USADA banned list in sports because it helps block estrogen’s effects and restore testosterone levels to normal in a fashion similar to TRT treatment in men. The athletic benefits of Clomiphene are extremely limited for women – except in one aspect: helping with female infertility.

In an open letter in Portuguese sent to the press and on her facebook account, on Thursday (27th), the fighter defended herself and explained her view of what happened.

She said that she that the clomiphene was found in her system because of a supplement she took unknowingly.

 

“I want to give my position regarding notification of a panel held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, by USADA on the presence of the substance Clomiphene, found in a urine sample provided in Long-Beach/CA- USA.

Despite all that is happening, I am very happy with the result. It’s a win for my career. I have spent months spending astronomical amounts which I do not have, the better lawyers (Jorge Ibarolla and Claude Ramoni / Libra Law – Lausanne / CH), the world of sport, to prove my innocence and I am very happy to have achieved with them and USADA, not having been negligent or have some blame for this contamination.

We raised all the data and detected the presence of the substance through contamination during handling of a gynecological medicine.

For those unaware, the substance Clomiphene is not a steroid, nor masks it. In the female body, it has no sport benefit. Then why use it?
All data were collected and verified the presence of the substance by means of cross-contamination during handling of a supplement.

Throughout my career, I always had (and have) the greatest care with any type of medication or supplement intake. I have never used any illegal action that might increase my performance. I have fought and still fighting for clean sport.

I believe that all merit a (an) athlete is the result of hard training, dedication and seriousness. My honesty is what has led me to be the athlete I am today. What makes me the champion I am is my willpower, my family and the few friends I have around.

I am innocent, I will not shake because of objections interrupt my training. Will never surrender or leave , because everything I’ve achieved today, was based on a lot of sweat, training.

At no time have I acted negligently or recklessly. A month and a half before the test, the result was NEGATIVE to this test also conducted by USADA. This result was an isolated incident. I am advised by my doctor, to not use any kind of supplement or medication without being sure of the safety of their use. Anywhere I am, I always take my supplements, all these manipulated and trusted by myself and my doctor. I always consult about ingredients of any medication or supplement before ingesting them.

I am extremely careful with it and have a clear conscience that I did nothing to improve my performance. If I really had ingested Clomiphene, I would be doing this to hurt my income, and no (a) athlete in their right mind would do that.

Although I find the odd fact that the IBJJF / CBJJ launch a new weight class (super heavyweight) on the same day of my acquittal and abolish (the PAN) 2014  drug test, and have not tested some world athletes, I will be present and competing both WPJJC (in April in Abu Dhabi) and the World – 2014 (Long-Beach/CA). I am 100% dedicated to compete in any event International events.

As for my family friends and fans, do not worry. ‘Nobody throws stones to a tree that does not bear fruit.’ To everyone who sent me and continue sending messages of affection, my thanks.

Respect, trust and consideration I have for my fans, friends, family and well as the entire community of Jiu-Jitsu and sport in general, I’m clarifying the situation. “