Emily Abbott was the biggest name on the list of athletes who failed their drug test at regionals this year. Abbott, a 4-time CrossFit Games veteran, won the West Regional this year in dominating fashion. However, Abbott will be on the sidelines for the 2018 CrossFit Games after testing positive for ibutamoren, an anabolic agent.
Abbott has known about this for a while and on Sunday posted a video about acceptance on her Psychedelic Gypsy Fitness YouTube Channel. While she did not specifically talk about doping, it was likely tied to it in some regard.
Obviously the next day, yesterday, CrossFit formally announced she was suspended for the next four years.
Abbott’s response was:
The CrossFit Games issued its decision suspending CrossFit athlete Emily Abbott from competition from June 22, 2018 until June 21, 2022.
Despite her detailed explanation and supporting evidence of how ibutamoren came to be in her sample, the CrossFit Games entirely disregarded Ms. Abbott’s explanation and imposed the maximum possible sanction, without even granting her a hearing.
In responding to the CrossFit Games’ decision, Ms. Abbott stated as follows: “I am beyond disappointed and frustrated that the organization I have dedicated so much of my life to has basically ignored my explanation for my inadvertent exposure to ibutamoren. I have proudly represented the sport as an advocate of clean eating and a healthy lifestyle, and would never knowingly take any banned substance. I strongly disagree with this unfair decision, and will be exploring all of my options.”
