In 2013, IBJJF together with USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) tested twice for PEDs: at the Pans and the Worlds.

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.

This test was done after the 2013 Worlds.

Clomiphene is a prohibited substance in the category of “Hormone and Metabolic Modulators” under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the “Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

In 2013, the USADA and IBJJF had released the list of athletes tested after the Pan, and all tested negative: Gabi Garcia, Andre Galvao, Marcus Buchecha, Roberto Tussa Alencar, Vanessa Oliveira, Luiza Monteiro, Rafael Mendes, Guilherme Mendes and Caio Terra

Gabi Garcia up until now had been very vocal about her dissaprovral of PED use in BJJ.

Even though Gabi tested positive, the USADA also found that the athlete: “had not acted negligently and was not at fault for the positive test. Although Garcia was not found to be at fault or to have acted negligently, in accordance with the Code, a violation of the anti-doping rules in connection with an In-Competition test automatically leads to the disqualification of all results obtained in that competition. While her results from the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships shall be disqualified, Garcia did not receive a period of ineligibility and, in accordance with the Code, remains eligible to compete.”

Garcia is at the moment preparing for her eventual MMA debut and has decided to take a step away from Jiu-Jitsu competition.

Gabi Garcia has not commented on the news as of yet.

Read the full press release:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athlete, Garcia, Accepts Finding Of No Fault And Loss Of Results

March 26, 2014

USADA announced today that Gabrielle Lemos Garcia of São Paulo, Brazil, an athlete in the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has tested positive for a prohibited substance, which was determined to have been ingested by her without fault or negligence, and will lose competitive results. 

Garcia, 28, tested positive for Clomiphene as the result of an in-competition urine sample she provided on June 2, 2013 at the International Brazillian Jiu- Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Long Beach, Calif. USADA was contracted by IBJJF to conduct testing for the event and collected Garcia’s sample in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency International Standard for Testing.

Clomiphene is a prohibited substance in the category of “Hormone and Metabolic Modulators”  under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the “Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. Clomiphene is classified as a Specified Substance, and therefore the presence of Clomiphene in an athlete’s sample can result in a reduced sanction.

After a thorough review of the case, USADA was able to conclude, to a comfortable satisfaction, that Garcia had not acted negligently and was not at fault for the positive test. Although Garcia was not found to be at fault or to have acted negligently, in accordance with the Code, a violation of the anti-doping rules in connection with an In-Competition test automatically leads to the disqualification of all results obtained in that competition.  While her results from the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships shall be disqualified, Garcia did not receive a period of ineligibility and, in accordance with the Code, remains eligible to compete.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation. 

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

Read the release at the USADA webpage.