Helle Simonsen (pictured) has been provisionally suspended after reporting an adverse analytical finding (AAF) following a 12 February test at the European Curling Championships in Esbjerg, Denmark. ‘Helle Simonsen has a hormonal imbalance called PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] and in relation to that, she has taken some alternative medicine that would help her become pregnant’, read a statement from the Danish curling federation (DCF) ‘One of the substances in the medicine is on the doping list. Helle has not been aware that the drug was on the doping list. It is not taken with performance enhancement in mind and she is very sorry about what happened.’

Simonsen, 31, who won a bronze medal with the Danish team at the 2007 European Curling Championships and took part in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, has been provisionally suspended pending a ruling from the World Curling Federation (WCF). In December, the  International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) issued Maude Mathys with an official warning, after she tested positive for clomiphene taken in an attempt to get pregnant.‘During the procedure Maude Mathys ascertained that the medication was taken only with regards to having a second child and not with intent to increase athletic performance’, read an ISMF statement. ‘She was given an official warning without suspension and all costs have been attributed to her’. The Swiss Olympic Committee issued Mathys with a reprimand in October, as reported by the Sports Integrity Initiative.