The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has clarified how a urine test from 2018 Commonwealth Games hopeful Jessica Peris returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for three substances, yet a blood test performed the same day did not reveal any AAFs. ‘Ms Peris was subject to an out-of-competition test in October 2017 where ASADA collected both blood and urine samples’, read an ASADA statement. ‘Her ‘A’ urine sample tested positive for three prohibited metabolites listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. Due to the nature of the prohibited metabolites detected in the initial urine screen, an additional scientific analysis was required before the positive test could be declared and the athlete notified.

‘No prohibited substances were detected in the blood samples. Blood and urine screens are used to detect different substances, and substances clear from urine and blood at different rates.’

Peris, who is the daughter of Olympic hockey gold medalist and Senator Nova Peris, pulled out of selection trials for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games after receiving notification of the AAF. She vowed to fight the ASADA charge.

‘A further test on a urine sample taken from me my ASADA on 34 hours later also tested negative’, read a statement from Peris, reported SBS. ‘I now believe that there are substantial flaws in the way in which my urine tests were conducted in respect of my urine sample to ASADA on 18 October’.