This weekend, Chantelle Loehner, a member of Team Invictus X alongside teammates Maddy Myers, Sam Dancer, and Holden Rethwill, posted on Instagram that she tested positive for a banned substance at the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge.
Loehner helped Team Invictus win the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge at D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C. last month. With the victory, Team Invictus earned the right to compete at the 2019 CrossFit Games. Loehner also qualified for the Games as an individual after placing 23rd in the Open.
Now, those invites to the Games may be all up in the air.
Loehner took action and said that she has requested for a testing of her B sample to hopefully prove that the first test was incorrect.
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“I feel like I am living a nightmare. This week I received an email notifying me that I tested positive for a banned substance at the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge. I am shocked and devastated. I have never knowingly taken a performance enhancing drug.
I have requested testing of my B sample and hope it will prove the first test was an error. I understand that it’s my responsibility to know what goes into my body and would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of this sport, nor would I ever risk disappointing my teammates, coaches, friends and family. I will trust the process and pray for a fair resolution.”
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Team Invictus posted to their Instagram a statement a couple of days ago before Loehner posted on her own page. The statement explained the process if Loehner’s B sample comes back positive.
“This week Chantelle Loehner received notice that her urine sample from the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge (“MACC”) tested positive for a banned substance. Chantelle finished the Open in a qualifying spot as an individual athlete, and was a member of our Invictus X team at the MACC. The result of the test is not yet conclusive; her B sample will be tested next week.
We love and support Chantelle; we also have been and will always be deeply committed to a fair, safe and drug-free competitive environment. If Chantelle’s B sample is also positive, Invictus will be the first to agree that any competitive result to which she contributed should be invalidated – whether she knowingly or unknowingly ingested the substance.
A positive drug test represents the darkest of times for a competitive athlete; we believe Chantelle will face this process with strength and integrity. Similarly, the other three members of Invictus X will move forward with greater resolve and commitment to fairly earning a qualifying spot to the CrossFit Games.”
We have no information at this time what the banned substance is, but if the B sample comes back positive not only will Loehner be eliminated from participating in the Games, Team Invictus’s invite will also be invalidated.
Feature image from @channybananny Instagram page.