French Olympic Fencer Ysaora Thibus Cleared in Doping Case After Positive Test Linked to Partner's Kiss

French Olympic fencer Ysaora Thibus has been cleared of a doping charge after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted her unusual defence that she was contaminated through kissing her partner.

Thibus tested positive for ostarine, an anabolic substance banned in competitive sport, in January 2024. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had called for a four-year suspension, which could have ended her career and prevented her from competing at the Paris Olympics.

Rather than accepting the proposed ban, Thibus presented a surprising explanation. She claimed she had been inadvertently exposed to ostarine through close contact and kissing with her then-partner, Race Imboden, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist from the United States.

Thibus said that over nine days in January 2024, she had unknowingly absorbed traces of ostarine through repeated physical contact. Imboden had been using a product containing the substance without her knowledge.

On 8 July 2025, CAS ruled that scientific evidence supported Thibus' defence. The court said it was 'scientifically established' that ostarine ingested by Imboden could remain in his saliva in quantities sufficient to contaminate another person through repeated kissing. Judges accepted that Imboden began using the substance on 5 January 2024, and that Thibus was exposed over a nine-day period, resulting in a cumulative effect.

This is not the first time such a defence has been accepted. In 2009, French tennis player Richard Gasquet was cleared in the now-famous 'cocaine kiss' case after successfully arguing that he tested positive from kissing a woman in a nightclub.

Thibus' case has drawn comparisons to Gasquet's, reinforcing how intimate relationships can unexpectedly impact an athlete's career and reputation.

Thibus had already been cleared by a Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) tribunal ahead of the Paris Games, allowing her to compete. She went on to place fifth in the women's team foil and finished 28th in the individual foil.

A silver medallist in the team foil at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Thibus is widely regarded as one of France's top fencing stars. The CAS ruling means she can now continue her career without the cloud of a doping ban.

WADA had strongly contested the initial ruling, insisting a four-year suspension was necessary to preserve the integrity of the sport. However, CAS dismissed the appeal after reviewing the scientific data and expert testimony provided in Thibus' defence.

The decision could shape how future doping cases are handled, especially those involving allegations of unintentional contamination. It also shows that sports tribunals are willing to weigh personal context and scientific nuance rather than rely solely on strict liability.

For Thibus, the outcome brings closure to a difficult chapter. The doping allegation had cast doubt on her career and personal integrity. With the ruling now final, she can focus on rebuilding her reputation and preparing for future competitions.

The case also serves as a warning to athletes about the unexpected ways banned substances can enter their bodies, even through close personal relationships. It highlights the importance of transparency and strict monitoring, not just of one's own diet and supplements but also of those around them.

Thibus' victory is seen by some as controversial. Critics argue it sets a risky precedent for future doping defences, while supporters view it as a triumph of scientific accuracy and procedural fairness.

With the case behind her, Thibus now has the opportunity to return to the piste and represent France at the highest level, free from the cloud of suspicion.