American downhill skier Breezy Johnson is currently under investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and has made the decision to not compete until the matter is resolved. This investigation may potentially result in a two-year ban for Johnson. The case revolves around the “whereabouts” rules, requiring elite athletes to inform anti-doping authorities where they can be found for one hour each day to give a sample at short notice.
Johnson has been a top U.S. downhiller in recent years with multiple World Cup podium finishes and a seventh-place finish at the 2018 Olympics. The 27-year-old maintains that she is a clean athlete and that the investigation is still in its early stages.
The skiing community has shown support for Johnson, particularly from her teammate, Mikaela Shiffrin, who won the downhill race at St. Moritz where Johnson did not compete. American athletes have previously received bans of up to 18 months for violations in whereabouts cases, with the potential for Johnson to face a similar outcome.
Johnson’s career peaked in 2021 when she achieved several top-three finishes in World Cup downhills, but she was forced to miss the 2022 Beijing Olympics due to a knee injury. The investigation comes as a setback for the talented skier, who will be hoping for a resolution that allows her to return to the slopes once the case is resolved.
It’s important for athletes to comply with anti-doping regulations, but the situation serves as a reminder of the impact that such investigations can have on athletes’ careers, which can be jeopardized due to technicalities and violations in the rules. The skiing world will be closely watching the outcome of Johnson’s case as it unfolds.
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