Jéssica Pereira in trouble after positive doping test

Jéssica Pereira may miss the 2020 Olympic Games after a positive drug test. Pereira had an adverse analytical result for furosemide, a diuretic. She was tested in September, out of competition and is voluntarily suspended. The 24 year old carioca fights U52kg and finished fifth at the World Championships after her loss to Erika Miranda who retired after the worlds.

Diuretic is used for losing weight, but likely this substance was stronger. It is totally different from meldonium in Russia, that stimulates oxygene consumption in the blood. Furosemide helps to go to the toilet e.g. dropping weight.

Marcelo Franklin, the athlete's lawyer, explains that there are circumstances in her case and she is optimistic. "The Brazilian Judo Confederation is aware of and follow up the legal proceedings regarding the preventive suspension of the athlete Jéssica Pereira," CBJ said in a statement.

Due to being suspended, Jessica is not participating in the Brazilian team training in Pindamonhangaba, in the training centre in São Paulo.

Pereira now awaits her trial, which takes from six months to a year. If it is suspended, the period that will be out of combat counts from the moment it has assumed its voluntary suspension. Most importantly, a quick decision is necessary because 2019 is an important year for Olympic qualification for the Tokyo Games in 2020 through points in the world ranking. If she can compete at all as the IOC rules might forbid participation depending on the substance and circumstances.

The Brazilian won the Grand Prix in Tunis last year, took bronze at the Grand Slam in Ekaterinburg and after her fifth place in Baku she competed in Cancun and Osaka where she didn't win a medal.

Read the full Portuguese article here