Fencer Ysaora Thibus has been suspended since 8 February after testing positive for ostarine. In a statement to Flashcore on Tuesday, she said she had been "involuntarily exposed to a contamination". 

Ostarine is commonly used to help build muscle. With less than five months to go until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Thibus has decided to "waive the analysis of Sample B" under an accelerated procedure. This will maximise her chances of competing in the Olympic Games. The fencer wishes to defend herself and claims her right to do so.

"I do not question the results of the analysis of Sample A, especially since, according to the investigations carried out by my team, I was exposed to contamination without my consent during the period of control", said the protagonist in statements collected by Flashcore. She reiterated several times that she had never taken any banned substances.

"My team and I are moving in the right direction and we have already been able to identify the likely origin of this contamination, despite my vigilance and daily precautions," she added. 

The argument that the poisoning was involuntary will form the basis of Thibus's defence. The substance found in the fencer's system was Ostarine, an anabolic agent on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances.

The French fencer Ysaora Thibus, the 2022 World Champion, has been suspended by the International Fencing Federation. The suspension is provisional pending the outcome of various investigations. The positive test was carried out on 14 January.
The 32-year-old fencer expressed her "total incomprehension, immense surprise and devastation". 

According to article 7.4.1 of the International Federation, the fencer must now provide "prove that the violation probably involved a contaminated substance or that the violation involved the abuse of a substance".

However, the reduction of the suspension is subject to the completion of a "substance abuse treatment programme approved by the FIE", as stipulated in Article 10.2.4.1. This can be reduced to three months or even one month. As reported by Inside The Games on 10 February. Time is of the essence for the fencer, who denies any intentional doping.

The French fencing team would be orphaned by the possible absence of Ysaora Thibus. Thibus is a nine-time French foil champion and team silver medallist at Tokyo 2021. She is one of the leading figures in French fencing.