Double Olympic champion Jade Jones avoids ban from Paris Games despite breaking anti-doping rules as UKAD clear British taekwondo star on ‘very exceptional circumstances’
- Jade Jones failed to provide a urine sample to officials who arrived at her hotel
- Jones was then provisionally suspended by the British Anti-Doping Agency
- The 31-year-old has been released to participate after an investigation
Two-time Olympic champion Jade Jones has avoided a suspension from the Paris Games despite violating anti-doping rules.
The British taekwondo star failed to provide a urine sample to authorities when they arrived at her Manchester hotel in December 2023.
Jones was subsequently provisionally suspended by the British Anti-Doping Agency, putting her participation in Paris in doubt.
However, the 31-year-old has been cleared to take part after an investigation found she was “not at fault or negligent for her refusal or failure to cooperate in sample collection”.
UKAD said it was satisfied that Jones did not need to be punished based on “very exceptional circumstances”, based on confidential medical records.
Two-time Olympic champion Jade Jones has avoided a suspension for the Paris Olympics
“I didn’t understand the situation I was in and what could happen,” said Jones, who won gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. “I gave a negative sample later that day, but clearly I made a mistake that morning.
‘What I understand now is not just the mistake I made, but the reasons why it happened and that the consequences could have been different.
‘I would like to thank UKAD for listening and seeing the circumstances and GB Taekwondo for their support. I am grateful that my actions have been understood and that I can continue to compete.
“I haven’t been able to share anything with the people close to me during this time, including my teammates. It’s been difficult and I hope they understand.
‘I can assure everyone that I am fully committed to clean sport and that I remain fully focused on the Olympic Games.’
Jones was cleared to compete at the European Championships in May, where she won a silver medal, and was then announced for Team GB’s Paris squad last month.
But the fact that she had been provisionally suspended earlier this year was kept secret until UKAD published the outcome of the case on its website this week.
UKAD said it was satisfied that Jones would not be penalised for ‘very exceptional circumstances’
The case dates back to December 1, when she was met by testers in Manchester but signed a document stating she could not provide a sample due to dehydration training before a weigh-in. Later that day she gave a sample to another tester, who came back negative.
In the UKAD investigation, Jones explained why she did not provide a sample that she was ‘focused on competition day and was stressed and panicking because she was behind with preparations’.
UKAD’s ‘no fault’ ruling was based on a report by a psychiatrist, who confirmed that her ‘decision to refuse or not to provide a sample was a direct result of her cognitive impairment’, related to her unspecified medical condition.
Paul Buxton, CEO of GB Taekwondo, added: ‘GB Taekwondo commends UKAD’s thorough process, respects the outcome and reaffirms our full confidence in Jade.
“She has been candid about what happened that day and has been candid about the circumstances that influenced her decision-making. Later that afternoon, she provided a negative sample.
‘Jade accepts UKAD’s decision and is fully committed to clean sport.
‘Anti-doping measures are vital and GB Taekwondo has a comprehensive education plan for all its athletes.
‘Since this matter arose, we have reviewed our procedures and reiterated to our athletes and staff the rules and their responsibilities.
‘We thank UKAD for their work, the medical experts for their detailed assessments and Jade for her commitment to the process, with all its challenges.’