On Friday, CrossFit, Inc., suspended Charis Chan from the remainder of the 2016 CrossFit Games season. CrossFit had been notified that Chan failed a drug test at the 2015 USAW American Open in December 2015. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has not sanctioned Chan yet, as she is disputing the results. However, CrossFit is banning Chan for the remainder of the season pursuant to Rule 11 of the 2016 CrossFit Games Drug Testing Program.
Chan’s results will be removed from the 2016 CrossFit Open standings, opening up a spot for another athlete in the Northern California region. Chan, who was in 10th place in her region, has already been removed from the official CrossFit leaderboard.
Depending on the outcome of Chan’s final ruling by USADA, CrossFit may ban Chan for multiple years.
Yesterday, Chan took to Instagram to give her side of the story. Chan states,
placing. I know most of you only know me through social media, but those who know me personally would tell you that I am an honest person. I believe in taking responsibility for all actions, whether good or bad. I would never cheat or lie to get ahead and taking any kind of performance enhancing drug or prohibited substance is completely against my morals. The accolades and titles are appreciated, but at the end of the day it is about giving 110 percent and achieving goals through hard work and persistence. I am doing everything in my power to determine where the prohibited substance came from and am in the process of appealing the test with USADA.
Additionally, on January 26, 2016 USADA performed a random drug test and that test came back negative. I have trained non-stop for the past four years and have devoted endless hours in the gym. What first started as a fun hobby has transformed into a career and a huge part of my life. My goal was to become one of the top athletes in CrossFit and weightlifting, while also remaining honest and humble. It is also equally important to me that I continue to help and inspire others through coaching and being a good role model. I want everyone to believe that anything is possible regardless of size, gender or ethnicity.
There’s still a lot of unknown information at this point, and I will try to provide updates. I will continue to train both in CrossFit and weightlifting, and I will not stop doing what I love to do…”
In January, rumors were circulating among the weightlifting community that Charis Chan may have failed her drug test although there was no evidence supporting those claims at that time. It appears those rumors were valid now. Chan set a new American Record in the 53kg weight class with an 86kg snatch.
