Jade Jones, a two-time Olympic champion from Britain, admitted that she made a mistake by failing to provide an out-of-competition doping sample last year. Despite this, the British anti-doping agency cleared her of any wrongdoing, allowing her to compete at the Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, Jones was eliminated from the 57-kilogram category after losing her opening bout to Miljana Reljikj of North Macedonia.
According to UK Anti-Doping, Jones violated the rules by refusing or failing to submit to sample collection when testers arrived at the Manchester hotel where she was staying. Jones explained that she was unable to provide a sample at that time because she needed to undergo a dehydration bath before a weigh-in. However, she was able to provide a sample later that day, which came back negative.
After her Olympic loss, Jones expressed remorse for her mistake, stating, “I made a mistake. They came on dehydration day, I wasn’t in the right mind. I was lucky they looked into it and it all got sorted and proven I was innocent.” Despite the incident, Jones maintained her innocence, affirming that she has never taken any drugs. She emphasized that she has undergone numerous drug tests throughout her career, including 13 additional tests since the incident.
Jones made history as the first British athlete to win a gold medal in Olympic taekwondo at the 2012 London Games. She went on to defend her title four years later in Rio de Janeiro, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s top athletes. Despite the setback in Paris, Jones remains a respected figure in the world of taekwondo, known for her skill and sportsmanship.
It is essential for athletes to comply with anti-doping regulations to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of their sport. While Jones’ oversight may have been unintentional, it serves as a reminder of the importance of following testing protocols. By acknowledging her mistake and accepting the consequences, Jones demonstrates accountability and a commitment to upholding the values of clean competition.