A few months before the Paris Olympics, the announcement of the “abnormal analysis result” of Ysaora Thibus, 32, accompanied by a provisional suspension, cast a chill.
Especially since the foil fencer, whose incriminated control dates back to January 14, represents a great chance of a gold medal for the French delegation.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) revealed that the product found in the 2022 world champion's sample is ostarine, from the so-called SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) family.
A sort of version 2.0 of steroids which has been on the list of permanently banned substances since 2008, according to the World Anti-Doping Code of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), in the section reserved for “other anabolic agents”.
Sometimes used for recovery and weight loss
There are two types of SARMs, those called steroidal and those called non-steroidal.
Ostarine falls into the second category.
Compared to testosterone-based steroids, its side effects would be less devastating to health.
Read alsoOJ Paris 2024: Ysaora Thibus, a French fencing star on the edge of the precipice after a positive test
Originally, it was a medication intended to increase muscle mass and bone density in elderly or frail people, for example cancer patients.
Misused use has made it a very popular substance in weight rooms, in the world of MMA, but also in athletics in strength tests (throwing) or in rugby.
In recent years, many athletes have also tested positive in boxing, judo or cycling.
Because in addition to gaining muscle, the product also has effects on improving recovery and weight loss.
If confirmed, she risks four years of suspension
In the absence of free sales in France, you have to go through the Internet to obtain them, most often from China.
Pending confirmation by a second expertise, it is impossible at this stage to know how Ysaora Thibus came into contact with this prohibited product.
Knowing that it is taken orally and can be mixed, many hypotheses can be raised.
“With the help of my advice and experts we will analyze and seek to understand this incomprehensible result, if it were confirmed,” she wrote in a press release, referring to the “negative results of dozens of controls suffered this year.
If the Habs' guilt is proven, it risks up to four years of suspension.