Jun 21, 2024 08:00:00

A professional cyclist's battle against doping allegations

Professional cyclist

Lizzy Banks has had a brilliant career, including winning the women's bicycle race ' Giro d'Italia Women ' in 2019 and 2020. However, in July 2023, Banks' career was turned upside down after she tested positive for multiple doping drugs.

Lizzy Banks. This story must be heard. – Lizzy Banks
https://lizzybanks.co.uk/2024/05/15/hello-world/

In July 2023, Banks received an email from

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) which read: 'Dear Mr Banks, UKAD needs to send you a private and confidential message. Please make sure you can receive emails at this email address.'

Banks, who sent the confirmation email, was then notified that she had been 'temporarily suspended from competition due to a possible anti-doping rule violation (ADRV),' with further details that she had 'tested positive for formoterol and chlorthalidone .'

Banks, who had suffered from asthma for many years, had been taking

formoterol for the treatment of asthma for four years. However, Banks said that the amount of formoterol he was taking did not exceed the ADRV threshold. He also said that he had no recollection of taking any medications containing chlorthalidone, a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure.

Banks felt extremely confused and powerless after being suddenly suspended, but with the help of anti-doping expert Mike Morgan and others, she began an investigation into why she had tested positive for a banned substance.

First, Banks will investigate the cause of the detection of chlorthalidone, which he should not have ingested. As a result, the possibility of 'drinking contaminated water' emerges. In fact, there is a huge lake called Lake Geneva near the house where Banks lives. Lake Geneva is sometimes praised as 'the most beautiful lake in the world,' but research results have been published so far that show that at least 50 tons of pharmaceuticals and 12 tons of pesticides have been dissolved in it.

'Lake Geneva is used as a source of tap water, so the water is not fully treated before it can be used for drinking, and residual chlorthalidone may have accumulated in the body, causing the test result to be negative,' said Banks. Previously, professional cyclist Jack Burke tested positive for the diuretic

hydrochlorothiazide after ingesting drug-contaminated water.

In response to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) World Anti- Doping Code, which states that 'anti-doping programs are intended to protect the health of athletes and provide them with the opportunity to pursue human excellence without the use of prohibited substances,' Banks said, 'WADA does not provide adequate protections or mechanisms to prevent athletes from being suspended for taking contaminated water.'

Banks also asked WADA, 'Are you aware that the contaminated water contains the banned substance chlorthalidone?' WADA responded, 'Chlorthalidone is not a known water contaminant, and therefore WADA's Contaminants Working Group does not intend to consider chlorthalidone as an exception.' WADA also said, 'WADA does not keep a log of all products alleged or found to be contaminated with chlorthalidone or other banned substances.'

'I am outraged, devastated, deeply helpless and shocked and extremely disappointed at WADA's lack of thought on a topic that is so disruptive to athletes' lives,' Banks said.

Banks then investigated the source of chlorthalidone contamination and provided a huge amount of scientific evidence, documents, studies and case law to UKAD, arguing that he was not responsible for his own chlorthalidone contamination.

UKAD responded by saying that Banks' claims were false. Banks said that the UKAD response was 'riddled with factual errors' and that it was 'a complete waste of time.'

However, the situation changed for Banks when a number of athletes tested positive for chlorthalidone in anti-doping tests. Hair analysis of the athletes who tested positive for chlorthalidone showed results that proved they had not knowingly used chlorthalidone. Similar results were also found in Banks' hair, and UKAD completely changed its stance.

Ultimately, UKAD informed Banks that 'we have determined that you were not at fault and therefore will not impose any sanctions or suspensions.' In April 2024, Banks received an email stating, 'UKAD has lifted the temporary suspension imposed on you on 28 July 2023. Upon receipt of this email, you are free to return to competition.'

Banks also announced his retirement from cycling, stating, 'This incident has cost my wife and I all our savings and has left us with deep psychological scars. The lifting of the sanctions has also resulted in a period of 'useless' months.'