Official withdrawal of the gold medal from Gladys Tejeda

There is no turning back. Today, Wednesday, September 9, the Peruvian Olympic Committee (COP) received the communication from the Pan American Sports Organization (Odepa) confirming the official withdrawal of the gold medal from Gladys Tejeda due to an adverse result in a doping control. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the athlete has been provisionally suspended.

In the Odepa's document, Gladys Tejeda is one of the six athletes whose results and honors have been excluded from the Pan American Games Toronto 2015. "Gladys Tejeda (...)tested positive in the doping controls carried out by the Montreal Laboratory, in which Furosemide consumption was detected (Lasix is the trade name)," reads the statement from the Peruvian Olympic Committee.

In addition to the medal withdrawal, Gladys Tejeda has been provisionally suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), while the Peruvian Athletics Sports Federation determines a sanction.

ÚLTIMO MINUTO Es oficial: Odepa retira medalla de oro a #GladysTejeda y @iaaforg la suspende provisionalmente pic.twitter.com/J7rtgTk4TS

? DT El Comercio (@DTElComercio) septiembre 9, 2015

Furosemide is a diuretic that is prohibited in the anti-doping regulations as it can be used to mask the consumption of other prohibited substances. Although the athlete reported having consumed it for health reasons and with a medical prescription, the proper processes to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption were not followed.