Former British professional Lizzy Banks has revealed particulars of a nine-month battle with anti-doping authorities that led to her identify being cleared.
The 33-year-old was knowledgeable in July 2023 by the UK Anti-Doping Company (UKAD) that she had returned two opposed analytical findings (AAFs); one for formoterol, an bronchial asthma medicine she had been taking, and one for chlortalidone, a diuretic she had by no means heard of, current solely as a small hint.
Initially, Banks confronted a two-year ban, however after offering an abundance of her personal medical analysis, UKAD made a momentous U-turn. The organisation issued a landmark first ‘No Fault of Negligence’ discovering, which means Banks obtained no sanction.
On Tuesday morning, the Brit shared a 16,000-word weblog submit detailing her nine-month ordeal.
She defined that she had instructed legal professionals and carried out rigorous medical analysis, leaning on her earlier coaching as a health care provider. The method, she mentioned, value her “effectively over €40,000”, and left her with suicidal ideas.
“My husband and I spent each penny of our financial savings and the large psychological toll has left deep scars,” Banks wrote. “My psychological well being was shattered. I used to be an entire wreck.”
Banks’ use of formoterol as an bronchial asthma medicine was beforehand identified to the anti-doping authorities, and was solely flagged together with chlortalidone. She pinpointed the presence of the diuretic as being a contaminant, and spent 1000’s of kilos finishing up impartial checks for it. “Simply testing paracetamol value €1,800,” she wrote. “They have been all unfavorable.”
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“I used to be utterly paralysed by worry. I had completely no concept the place the chlortalidone had come from. I ended taking my drugs. I used to be afraid to eat absolutely anything; meat, milk, something that had been by way of any sort of course of, even ingesting water involved me. The acute stress of this horrifying scenario set in and my bodily well being began to deteriorate,” Banks mentioned.
“So many instances I broke down in tears and panic simply because I had to make use of my inhalers and take my tablets. It was inhumane. No athlete ought to stay in worry like I used to be. Well being is a human proper and selecting to work as an athlete is just not a purpose that such a elementary proper ought to be stripped from you.
“I felt that my life was over, that I had nothing left.”
Banks rode for EF-Schooling-TIBCO-SVB final season, and says she misplaced her wage whereas she was provisionally suspended.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Regardless of the psychological stress, Banks continued her medical analysis. She evaluated 15 years’ price of AAFs for diuretic substances, and returned her findings to the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA).
“You’re responsible till confirmed harmless,” she mentioned, “and you need to pay each penny of the investigation your self with no assist from the police.”
Beneath the burden of her proof, as effectively a hair take a look at that confirmed no hint of chlortalidone within the wider interval earlier than and after her optimistic pattern, UKAD dropped the case, issuing a ‘No Fault or Negligence’ discovering. Banks does, nevertheless, nonetheless have Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in her identify.
The method, she defined, has left her with little religion within the anti-doping system. She believes UKAD is “not match for goal”.
“If UKAD can not perceive primary scientific ideas, it’s merely not doable that UKAD ought to maintain such a place of energy over athletes’ futures in anti-doping proceedings,” she wrote.
Banks was cleared to return to biking, however determined to not, citing “how damaging” her expertise had been. As of at present, she is formally retired, calling time on a six-year skilled profession, most not too long ago driving for WorldTour crew EF-Schooling-TIBCO-SVB final season.
“To be clear, I’ve completely no intention to attempt to ‘convey down’ WADA or any of the nationwide anti-doping organisations, I’m simply determined for them to get up to the problems which might be smashing athletes within the face left, proper and centre,” she concluded.
Banks’ weblog submit might be learn in its entirety on her web site.
Biking Weekly has contacted UKAD and WADA in relation to this story, and can replace this piece with any response.
