In the world of elite sports, it’s not uncommon for athletes to face doping accusations.
But what happens when love — quite literally — becomes the culprit?
That’s exactly what unfolded in the life of French Olympic fencer Ysaora Thibus, whose career was nearly derailed by a positive drug test.
The twist? The banned substance reportedly entered her system through kisses with her partner.
The Surprising Source Behind the Positive Test
Back in January 2024, Thibus tested positive for ostarine — an anabolic substance that’s banned for enhancing muscle growth.
The news shocked many, especially since she was preparing for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
The French fencing star, known for her silver medal win in Tokyo 2021, was facing the possibility of a four-year ban.
But Thibus maintained her innocence from the beginning.
The Unusual but Proven Defense: Contaminated by Love
Thibus explained that the ostarine didn’t come from any performance-enhancing efforts of her own.
Instead, she claimed the contamination occurred through repeated kissing with her then-boyfriend, American model and former fencer Race Imboden.
Imboden had reportedly been using ostarine to regain muscle tone after retiring from fencing — a move meant to benefit his modeling career.
CAS Rules in Favor of the Fencer
On Monday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered its final ruling — and it was a victory for Thibus.
The court acknowledged that the scenario she described was not only possible but scientifically backed.
Judges accepted that enough ostarine could have been passed through saliva during kissing to result in a positive test.
They further determined that Imboden had been taking the substance starting January 5, 2024, and over the course of nine days, the contamination had a cumulative effect on Thibus.
CAS firmly stated there was no intent or negligence on her part.
WADA’s Appeal Dismissed
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had appealed the original ruling that cleared Thibus, pushing for a four-year ban.
But CAS dismissed their challenge, reaffirming that the violation was not intentional and that Thibus bore no responsibility for the contamination.
The original decision by the International Fencing Federation tribunal was upheld.
Echoes of Past Cases in the Sports World
Thibus isn’t the first athlete to offer a romantic explanation for a positive drug test.
Her defense echoed that of French tennis player Richard Gasquet, who tested positive for cocaine in 2009.
Gasquet successfully argued that the substance entered his system after kissing a woman in a Miami nightclub.
His case was also accepted, setting a precedent that worked in Thibus’ favor.
A Relationship That Began and Ended on the Olympic Stage
Ysaora Thibus and Race Imboden had first met during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Their shared passion for fencing blossomed into a relationship, and they got engaged after competing in Tokyo in 2021.
Unfortunately, despite the emotional highs and mutual successes, the couple later went their separate ways.
What’s Next for Ysaora Thibus?
Now officially cleared, Thibus can focus fully on her fencing career without the cloud of doping allegations hanging over her.
With the Paris 2024 Games in the rearview, and her name restored, fans are eager to see where her journey leads next — both on and off the piste.