Ski Legend Lindsey Vonn Was Forced to Take a Drug Test at a Fashion Oscars Party Once

The United States has strict anti-doping policies. And athletes need to get tested for banned substances from time to time. However, it can become inconvenient for athletes when testers show up at odd timings. Lindsey Vonn experienced this first hand during a fashion award ceremony.

The decorated alpine skier attended a prestigious award in 2013. During the show, US Anti-Doping Agency contacted her to collect test samples.

Lindsey Vonn faced an embarrassing situation at a fashion event

Vonn was at the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards, which people refer to as the “Fashion Oscars.” Designer Cynthia Rowley, who designed the athlete’s dress for the evening, was also present at the event.

With the ceremony underway, the three-time Olympic medalist received a call from the testers at US Anti-Doping Agency. The authority notified the skier that some of their testers were present right outside the venue. And they wanted to collect a sample urgently.

Following this, Rowley went outside to escort the testers inside the venue. Once in, Vonn met them near the restroom, where she provided them with a urine sample. Once they received it, they left as soon as they arrived. As they left the venue, they told her to have a good time at the event.

Such surprise tests can be inconvenient at times. In this case, too, the timing of the testers was not perfect or anywhere near it. They arrived when the athlete was attending a public event, a fashion award ceremony at that!

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The apparel she donned was extravagant. Therefore, collecting samples while wearing such an outfit can get arduous. Moreover, providing samples during such events can disrupt the whole occasion and the mood. But Vonn did not seem to mind the intrusion.

She even obliged their requests and did everything by the book. After all, she is a world-class athlete and must have faced similar situations earlier. And even though such an ordeal would put most athletes in an awkward position, she kept her cool and handled it like a pro.

Did Vonn have the option to decline the request?

The USADA keeps tabs on the whereabouts of Olympians throughout the year. Therefore, Olympic-level athletes must keep updating the details of their locations at all times. It is a mandate for testers to locate the athletes with ease.

Failing to adhere to the rules may lead to a ban for a specified time. But athletes must miss at least three tests or incorrectly or not fill out forms in 12 months to face a penalty.

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In 2019, Christian Coleman bore the full brunt of this when he missed three consecutive mandatory drug tests by the agency. The sprinter faced a ban for 18 months leading to the athlete missing out on the Tokyo Olympics.