Controversy within the Nobull CrossFit®Games 2021. This time the problem is with the On Track team, which ranked fifth al Mid-Atlantic CrossFit® Challenge, event that took place in the United States a few weeks ago.
In fact, it seems that the team formed by Nick Petersen, Addie Balderston, Joe Cats and Janelle Stites could lose the invitation earned. All this because Janelle is tested positive in the doping test carried out by USADA in 2019 for which it had a 4-year fine out of competition.
From what emerged, it seems that the American was found positive outside the CrossFit® scope, while competing in a weightlifting event, but, as a general rule, CrossFit® Inc abides by orders issued by the USADA or any official body of any country; even if the case concerns another sport.
Janelle Stites doping in 2019
The case would have occurred in January 2019 and the measure adopted was to suspend the athlete for weightlifting events for four years.
According to the report and the statements from the supervisory body, the substance found in Janelle's body was ostarine; a substance not specified in the class of anabolic agents, but prohibited in all segments of the USADA protocol for Olympic and Paralympic movement tests.
Ostarine, also known as MK-2866 and Enobosarm, it's a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) sold illegally in the United States and around the world as a performance enhancing substance.
So who would take the place of On Track in the next Games?
The official position of CrossFit® regarding the suspension or not of the team is still missing. The case is still in appeal phase with the event staff, which is expected to respond by the end of next week.
However, if they choose to honor USADA sanctions, Janelle would not be eligible for the competition. Which would mean that the entire On Track team is not eligible to compete.
If the decisions are confirmed and we have the disqualification of the On Track team, who would take their place would be the CrossFit team Reigned Wilmington, of athletes Quinn Robinson, Steph Simmons, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brynn Carrick.
“According to the due process outlined in CrossFit®'s drug testing policy, each individual has 10 business days to file a written petition, which CrossFit® will review before making a final decision. In the meantime, the sixth-placed team was told to keep trained ", the Games representative explained to the American site Morning Chalk Up.
The case would not be the only one: in 2017 Charis Chan received a four-year suspension from the Games too for having tested positive for doping in the field of weightlifting.
The response of the Team On Track
One was posted on the team's Instagram profile photo by Janelle and Nick with an explanation of what happened according to their point of view.
It is read:
“I am 100% by your side. Our entire OnTrack community does. We know that Janelle has never knowingly taken any kind of substance to enhance her performance. And if you look at the test dates and the value found in his system, it is obvious that it was a unique event.
But let's face it, if you know her personally, you know she would never take drugs to keep going. She is honest, fair and believes in fair competition. You are wrong if you think she is a cheater.
This is a difficult thing right now. We are trying to get CrossFit to reduce its fine to a 2-year ban, which would allow it to compete in the Games and is in line with accidental exposure to banned substances, as it would have already served its sentence.
Final thoughts: Keep calm, everyone. I know the internet makes it affordable and people like to shoot judgments, but you're not really doing anyone any good.
You are not creating justice or providing insights - you are just hurting someone when they are already very sick. Find a different way to make the world better, please 😁 "
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