Ariana Evangelista, a prominent cyclist from the Philippines, found herself embroiled in a massive doping controversy. This was after a dope test following her participation in the Asian Games. The International Testing Agency (ITA) raised alarm bells after detecting erythropoietin in Evangelista’s blood and urine samples.
Naturally, they provisionally suspended her from competing. Even as rumors spread, Evangelista took it upon herself to clear the air as she shared her side of the story on social media.
An Appeal for Justice – Evangelista’s Response
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Evangelista revealed her awareness of the situation and her unwavering commitment to resolving it. She stated that she received the ITA’s notice on October 3. According to her, she had promptly sent her reply on October 4, seeking to appeal the findings. Currently awaiting the results of her B-sample, Evangelista also expressed deep regret for the situation. She also made it abundantly clear that she never intended to tarnish her country’s reputation.
“In the meantime, I deeply apologize to everyone for this issue and please know that it was not and will never be my intention to bring shame to our country. I have been tested a lot of times already in the 10 years that I’ve been racing in UCI events and it is only now that this has happened. There were many factors that could have led to the initial failing of the test and I have emailed those factors to the ITA already.”ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
She went on to shed light on her extensive history of doping tests throughout her ten-year career in UCI events. This, for her, was an unprecedented occurrence. “To those who are not aware, in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, I was tested for doping for my Silver medal in XCE. In the Coupe du Japon Yawatahama International MTB Race in Japan, I was tested as well for my Bronze. Both happened in May 2023 and with presumably negative results, as I did not receive any notice like what happened for the China Asian Games.”
Guarding Mental and Emotional Health – A Personal Decision
Facing the imminent scrutiny and public reaction, Evangelista made a poignant decision to delete her Facebook app twice. She also explained that her motivation was to safeguard her mental health from potential negative comments and uninformed judgments. This move underscores the immense pressure and emotional toll that athletes endure when their integrity is questioned.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines Inc. has thrown its support behind Evangelista. As the cycling world awaits the outcome of Evangelista’s appeal and the results of her B-sample, her story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in the spotlight. In this critical moment, Evangelista seeks not only justice but also understanding from her community and fans, who have stood by her throughout her remarkable career.
Watch this story: Scotland Leads the Way by Empowering Students and Schools to Elevate Cycling Priorities
