Ricky Garard is back

by Joaquín Meroño

The athlete suspended for doping Ricky Garard fulfills his sanction in 2022

Ricky Garard is back. At the end of the 2017 CrossFit Games, Australian competitor, Ricky Garard was disqualified and removed from the podium in his third place after passing a positive test for PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs). Subsequently, he was banned from participating in the upcoming games for four years.

Ricky Garard will now be able to return at the next CrossFit Games in 2022 due to the fact that his sanction has been fulfilled since it occurred in 2017.

Already last year 2020 he made himself noticed by issuing an unofficial challenge to five-time champion Mat Fraser through social networks and followed this challenge by posting his times, along with his thoughts on the CrossFit Games that year.


In the challenge, Ricky Garard made it clear that he knew that his attempts could not be official, without the possibility of having a judge by his side recording the times. He also stated that he had an advantage, since he knew the scores of the other competitors before starting their particular events. Garard tried to mimic the official competition environment as required by time constraints and standards, over two days. He claimed that he would have finished fifth in the CrossFit Games standings after completing all the events.


He went on to congratulate all the athletes competing in the 2020 Games, particularly the top five who made the cut and head to the Ranch to determine the "Fittest" for 2020.

On day one, Garard's unofficial times were 181 points, resulting in 17th place, and on day two, he racked up 441 points, which would have qualified him for fifth.

According to Ricky Garard's Instagram post, he was grateful for the opportunity to simulate the events. He believed this would help him prepare for the next games he would be qualified to participate in, which will take place in 2022. While he understands he still has a lot of work and training to put in, he made it clear he's excited for what's to come.

Would you let an athlete who tested positive for doping compete again?

It is an issue that causes too much controversy. There are those who are in favor of allowing him to return to the arena if the sanction has been fulfilled, and many others who think that this substance with which he tested positive always remains in the body, assimilating its benefits. And what would you do?



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