A plate of grilled meat could cost Mirtha Uribe her career
Mirtha Uribe is one of the two Peruvian players who tested positive for doping in the Pre-Olympic Volleyball Tournament in Japan. However, she has proven that it was due to consuming contaminated meat with clenbuterol in Mexico before traveling to the oriental country. That's why she was only suspended for twelve months.
With 16 years in the national team, the middle blocker is going through one of her worst moments. But her strength and the support from the federation, her club, her family, and friends have helped her keep looking forward without fear.
- You decided to take action.
I researched and realized that it wasn't that easy. The notification stated that the dosage was minimal, so it could have been food poisoning. I decided to travel to Mexico to look for evidence because I was sure that if they found it in me, it was involuntary.
- What did you do in Mexico?
We went to the hotel and the airport and got raw meat. They conducted tests and after 10 days, we received the results. The hotel meat was contaminated. So we gathered the evidence, the consumption vouchers when we were with the national team, the results, and immediately presented them to the FIVB.
- But you were still sanctioned.
I knew that the minimum sanction is two years, but due to the evidence we presented of the involuntary act, I have been suspended for one year, until May 11th. According to the statement, it is a warning because they found the substance in me, and I should have been aware that clenbuterol is abundant in Mexico, and now I know it is also present in China. Unfortunately, this reprimand is significant for me because I cannot play for my club, Jaamsa, right when the league is starting.
VOLLEYBALL: TWO PERUVIAN PLAYERS TEST POSITIVE FOR DOPING IN PRE-OLYMPICS
- What's next for you?
I have been dealing with this for six months, but I won't let it bring me down. I will accept the suspension with a clear conscience because if you're innocent, you have nothing to fear. I will consult if I can train with my club to not lose activity. I have to find a job, and I know that on May 12th, I will come back stronger. Jaamsa has told me that from that day on, I will be a player for them again.