Olympic pole vaulter and Onlyfans creator Alysha Newman has issued a statement after being suspended from the sport.
Earlier this week, the 31-year-old athlete was handed a whereabouts suspension from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). A whereabouts suspension is triggered when an athlete either misses or fails to provide accurate information to an anti-doping agency three times, per AIU guidelines.
In Newman's case, Canadian Running reports that the AIU had suspended her on the grounds that she had missed three doping tests within a 12-month period.
Newman has now responded to the suspension, insisting to followers that she has never used performance-enhancing drugs.
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Taking to Instagram, the Olympic bronze medalist shared a video explaining that she wanted to clear the air about her situation.
Revealing that she learnt about the suspension news when it was posted publicly, Newman began: "I’ve been getting so many texts... so I feel I need to clear the air. I owe it to Canada. I owe it to the people who have supported me from my first drug test at 16.
"I have never taken any enhanced drugs and have never taken steroids. This suspension is simply a whereabouts failure."
Going on to explain the rules of whereabouts tests, she explained that all Olympic athletes have to report 'one hour a day at an address, 365 days of the year' in order for spot testing.
"I've never missed three in a calendar year, since I've been 16-years-old" she said. "I fell short this year. We are in the process of figuring it out. I will see you all back on the track, and I will continue to be a clean athlete in this sport."
She also explained that there are certain aspects of her case which she is unable to talk about at the moment but reassured followers that this wouldn't be the end of her career.
"It isn’t the last time you’ll see me—just give me some time," she concluded the video.
"Thank you again for all the love and support."
Further details about Newman's suspension have not been released by the AIU, however she could now face a ban of anywhere between 12 months and two years.
Newman, who previously went viral after launching an Onlyfans account, competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics were she picked up a bronze medal.
The athlete also raised eyebrows after celebrating her sporting achievement by twerking on field in-front of cameras and spectators – a move which wasn't the most controversial moment at the Paris games.
Brenna Cooper