British Taekwondo star barely avoids doping ban

Jade Jones, the double Olympic taekwondo champion, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a no-fault doping violation. The UK Anti-Doping Agency (Ukad) confirmed that Jones bears no fault for her failure to provide a urine sample due to "very exceptional circumstances" related to confidential medical records. Consequently, Jones can pursue her ambition for a third Olympic medal and will participate as part of the Great Britain taekwondo team in Paris later this month. This is prepared by SSP.

In December of last year, Jones was unable to provide a sample to an official who arrived at her Manchester hotel. She stated that her dehydration training prior to a weigh-in prevented her from doing so. However, she later provided a negative sample to a different tester later that same day.

Jones expressed her understanding and acceptance of UKAD's decision in a statement, acknowledging her mistake and the potential consequences she could have faced. She expressed gratitude to UKAD for considering the circumstances and thanked GB Taekwondo for their support, emphasizing her commitment to continuing her competitive career.

On December 14, UKAD informed Jones of her provisional suspension. Subsequently, based on a report by a consultant psychiatrist indicating a cognitive impairment, UKAD imposed a no-fault ruling, clearing Jones of any fault or negligence in her refusal to provide a sample.

Jones, who won her first Olympic gold medal at the age of 19 in London 2012, successfully defended her title in Rio four years later. Despite winning her first world title in 2019, Jones fell short of claiming a third consecutive Olympic title in Tokyo, losing in the last 16 to Kimia Alizadeh of the Refugee Team.

GB Taekwondo chief executive Paul Buxton acknowledged UKAD's comprehensive process, fully supporting Jade Jones and her candid explanation of the conditions that influenced her decision-making on that day. He further emphasized Jade's commitment to clean sport.