Team GB bicycle owner Lizzy Banks was ‘suicidal’ after doping allegations
Former Team GB cyclist Lizzy Banks says she was left contemplating suicide while she fought to clear her name after testing positive for banned substances.
The athlete, 33, made an emotional appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour this week to discuss ten months of ‘absolute hell’ she says she endured after being told she’d tested positive for doping in July 2023.
Informed she could face a two-year ban, Banks launched her own gruelling investigation into the results, spending she says, around £40,000 of her and her husband’s savings.
On her Instagram account, the Worcestershire cyclist this week explained why she’s been absent from social media in recent months, saying she’d been ‘silently living my worst nightmare’.
Banks said the time between being informed she’d tested positive for traces of chlortalidone and formoterol and being cleared of doping had been an ‘incredibly dark time’.
In April, UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) declared that there had been ‘no fault or negligence’ on the part of Banks for the ‘contaminated’ tests.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour this week, ex Team GB cyclist Lizzy Banks revealed her ten-month ‘silent’ trauma at the hands of Wada (World Anti-Doping Association) and Ukad (UK Anti-Doping) after she was told on 28th July 2023 that she’d tested positive for traces of banned substances chlortalidone and formoterol
In a blog on her personal website, Banks, 33, told her followers that she and her husband had spent ‘every penny of our savings’ as she fought to clear her name
This week, she published a blog post on her own website, and recorded an interview with Woman’s Hour in which she heavily criticised doping authorities Wada (World Anti-Doping Association) and Ukad.
Wiping away tears on the Radio 4 show, the cyclist told presenter Nuala McGovern about the emotional strain she’d endured – and her determination to fight the system.
She said: ‘It was just an impossible task and I really felt like my whole life was over because I’d seen these cases in the news and I knew that these cases always ended badly.’
The athlete said such was the stress of being wrongly accused – she’s since been found blameless for the ‘contaminated’ tests – had seen her become ‘seriously worried for her life’
Banks said she was unwavering in her commitment to clearing her name for the sake of others: ‘I’ve never worked so hard at something in my life.
‘I put absolutely everything into this, and I truly believe that public pressure is the only way to get Wada (World Anti-Doping Association) and Ukad (UK Anti-Doping) to change their rules because we tried and they would not listen.’
She added: ‘If I have to be the sacrificial lamb then so be it.’
On her blog post, entitled ‘This story must be heard’, she detailed two accounts – a short and long one – about how her life has been tipped upside down since July 2023, saying she now won’t return to the sport she loves.
The cyclist, who rode for Team GB in two World Championships, wrote: ‘This process has cost me a huge amount, literally and metaphorically.
‘My husband and I spent every penny of our savings and the huge mental toll has left deep scars.’
In an emotional interview with Radio 4’s Nuala McGovern, she broke down, saying her life had been ‘ruined’ during the time she was appealing – and said she feared someone will die as a result of similar accusations
Speaking about finally clearing her name, she said: ‘It is difficult to emphasise enough how significant UKAD’s finding is that I bore.
‘To put it in black and white, I understand that this is the first time that UKAD has ever issued a finding of No Fault or Negligence (and therefore zero sanction) when the athlete has not specifically identified the exact source of the contamination.’
On social media, Banks was widely praised for speaking out.
One person wrote: ‘What an absolutely horrendous situation to be in and what a courageous woman to come out and share your story.’
Another added: ‘This sport can be so ugly and so stupid, but it’s only people like you who will eventually save it from itself. You are an amazing person Lizzy and I’m so sorry you went through this!’
Reaction: Banks’ story sparked a deluge of positive responses from followers
A spokesperson from Ukad told the BBC: ‘Following concerning reports in the media and comments made by professional cyclist Ms Elizabeth Banks on Tuesday 21 May 2024, UK Anti-Doping confirms that Ms Banks has committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) and that the applicable period of Ineligibility has been eliminated on the basis that Ms Banks bore No Fault or Negligence for those ADRVs.
‘Ukad also notes Ms Banks’ comments with concern and will be looking into what it can do to better support Athletes going through Anti-Doping Rule Violation proceedings.
‘Ordinarily, Ukad would not comment on the facts of a specific case until the expiry of all appeal windows, at which time the Decision would be published in full in accordance with the reporting requirements of the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
‘An appeal window remains open in this case and Ukad therefore does not intend to provide any further comment on this matter at this time.’
Meanwhile, Wada responded to the BBC saying Banks’ situation hadn’t been straightforward: ‘This is a complex and nuanced area of anti-doping which Wada always strives to strike the right balance for the good of athletes and clean sport.
“Wada cannot comment specifically on this case, but reviews all cases to ensure they are dealt with appropriately under the rules, and reserves the right to take the appeals to the Court of Arbitration.’
