The International Testing Agency (ITA), appointed to independently handle the results management and intelligence and investigations of anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) for IRONMAN, reports that Swiss triathlete Imogen Simmonds has agreed to a finding of No Fault after testing positive for SARMS LGD-4033 (ligandrol) metabolite Dihydroxy-LGD-4033.
And Simmonds reacted to the news by posting on Instagram: “It is with indescribable amounts of relief that I announce the ITA has decided on a “no guilt or negligence” verdict regarding my ADRV from an out-of-competition doping control test on the 8th of December 2024.
“I was informed of the presence of Ligandrol in a urine sample on the 5th of February 2025, which the ITA have ruled was due to sexual contamination.”
Simmonds, who has more than 10 career wins to her name, excelled in the T100 Triathlon World Tour last season, finishing ninth in the overall standings – which earned her a contracted place for 2025. However she hasn’t raced since coming fourth in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand on 14th December 2024.
Simmonds ended 2024 in seventh place on the PTO’s world rankings but has now dropped down to #126.
ITA statement
The ITA statement reads: “As previously announced Simmonds provided a sample under the Testing Authority and Results Management Authority of IRONMAN during an unannounced out-of-competition doping control performed on 8 December 2024. This doping control yielded an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for ligandrol.
“Ligandrol is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.2 Other Anabolic Agents, is is banned at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is considered a non-specified substance. Ligandrol is a selective androgen receptor modulator which promotes muscle growth and enhances physical performance.
“Over the course of the results management proceedings, the athlete was able to establish that the presence of ligandrol in her sample was due to inadvertent contamination through intimate contact with her partner who was taking supplements containing the prohibited substance without her knowledge.
“The athlete was also able to establish that she bore No Fault or Negligence for the ADRV and, therefore, no period of ineligibility is imposed and the athlete is free to compete effective immediately. As the sample was collected out-of-competition, there are no competitive results to disqualify.
“The athlete accepted the finding of the ADRV, and the matter is considered as concluded from the perspective of IRONMAN and the ITA. Pursuant to the public disclosure requirement of the World Anti-Doping Code and the IRONMAN anti-doping rules, the case must be publicly reported.
“The decision may be challenged before the appeal division of the Court of Arbitration of Sport by the parties with a right of appeal, in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IRONMAN anti-doping rules.
“The ITA will not comment further on this case.”
‘Indescribable amounts of relief’ for Simmonds
Simmonds issued her own statement at the same time, describing the “pain and turmoil” the episode has caused her and hoping that her “story can act as a warning and education for other athletes out there”.
She wrote: “It is with indescribable amounts of relief that I announce the ITA has decided on a “no guilt or negligence” verdict regarding my ADRV from an out-of-competition doping control test on the 8th of December 2024.
“I was informed of the presence of Ligandrol in a urine sample on the 5th of February 2025, which the ITA have ruled was due to sexual contamination.
“At that time, the world I had spent my entire professional career building around me crumbled. The loss of identity I felt and the evaporation of my dignity has caused me a huge amount of pain and turmoil.
“No doubt this news of a “not guilty” verdict will not reverberate in the same way as the initial news, but to me, this verdict means everything and proving my innocence has been what has kept me going.”
Plans and goals ‘remain to be determined’
And looking to the future, she added: “I hope that my story can act as a warning and education for other athletes out there; I wouldn’t wish my experience over the past 9 months on anyone. Yet I fear that given the increased presence of artificial compounds (such as SARMS) in society and numerous other factors that can lead to unexpected ways of substance transmission, every single athlete is at risk of contamination, in some form.
“I urge the ITA to make the process for athletes fighting to prove their innocence as transparent and streamlined as possible; athletes have a right to protect themselves, their reputation and their careers. I’m fully appreciative of the level of due-diligence that goes into each case, and I 100% advocate for clean sport.
“For now, I’d like to put this chapter behind me. It feels as if I have spent the past 9 months being haunted by this ordeal, and I’m finally able to breathe again. What my plans and goals are for the future in this sport remain to be determined. But what this period of time has made clear to me is how much I love the sport of triathlon, being active, and sharing it with great people.
“I wouldn’t be here today without the incredible people who have reached out, stood by me and believed in me. You know who you are, and you helped navigate my way through such a challenging time.
“And lastly to my sponsors, thank you for believing in me from the start of this ordeal. It’s an honour to represent companies of such high integrity, and it’s thanks to you that I’ve managed to retain hope of going back to racing.”
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
