MANILA – Filipina mountain bike rider Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio Evangelista failed the doping test conducted during her 19th Asian Games participation in Hangzhou, China.
According to the International Testing Agency (ITA), Evangelista was tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), which is considered a banned substance as it enhances the performance of an athlete.
With the outcome, the Iloilo City native was provisionally suspended by ITA, but she has the right to request for the analysis of the B-sample.
“A blood and urine sample collected from cycling athlete Ariana (Evangelista) from the Philippines has returned Adverse Analytical Findings for the non-specified prohibited substance EPO,” according to ITA.
“Two samples (blood and urine) were collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on her,” ITA added.
The agency added: “The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. She has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.”
The Filipina rider was taken for samples on Sept. 24, a day before her competition on Sept. 25, where she finished 13th overall after failing to complete the race.
The ITA explained that the positive result of Evangelista’s sample only came out early this week as “it typically takes several days for a failed test to come through.”
Evangelista’s case has been referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Anti-Doping Rules.
Meanwhile, PhilCycling has described the incident as “unfortunate” as they assured of their full support for Evangelista, whom they said is one of the finest riders in MTB in the country.
“As the national federation for cycling to which she is attached, the PhilCycling would extend all the support necessary to our athlete that go within the bounds of regulations of the WADA Independent Observers, WADA, NADO-Philippines, Olympic Council of Asia and Union Cycliste Internationale,” PhilCycling said.
“PhilCycling, like all national federations under the wings of the Philippine Olympic Committee, will always be in support of its athletes and on the same level promote with vigor fair play in our sport at all times while condemning the use of illegal substances/doping,” it added./PN
