Paris (AFP)

One month before the start for the Tokyo Games, swordsman Daniel Jérent, team gold medalist in Rio in 2016, learned that he would not make the trip to Japan because of a positive test, a stroke. hard for French fencing.

The announcement of the French Fencing Federation fell late Friday morning: Daniel Jérent, who was one of the four swordsmen selected to compete in the Tokyo Olympics (July 23-August 8), will not be able to travel to Japan. , due to a summons before the sanctions commission of the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD).

In question, an anti-doping control carried out in November 2020 at Insep (National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance), whose samples A and B revealed the presence of dorzolamide, a product with a diuretic effect, which the 'usually found in the form of eye drops to lower eye pressure, in case of risk of glaucoma.

The effects of a diuretic can be sought by athletes wishing to mask the use of prohibited products.

In 2018, footballer Giuseppe Rossi had received a simple reprimand from the Italian anti-doping, following a positive test for this product.

- Already suspended for "no shows" -

This is the second time that the fencer has to do with French anti-doping.

In June 2018, due to three breaches of his location obligations ("no shows"), he was suspended for one year.

He was able to return just in time for the 2019 Worlds, qualifiers for Tokyo, and the French swordsmen had won gold in Budapest.

"It hurts that my name is associated with doping. I am not a cheater and I have never been," said the swordsman Friday to AFP, for whom the two cases are separate.

"We must not mix everything up. The three + no shows +, I was at fault on my side," he admits.

Regarding dorzolamide, "I have never taken this product, and I have never had to deal with this product in my entourage", he said Friday when he was thus to participate in his second Olympics.

A little over a year ago, he was hospitalized following a traffic accident and a double fracture of the femur on the roads of Guadeloupe where he is from.

According to him, the quantity of dorzolamide found in his urine amounts to 1.5 nanograms, which he describes as "traces".

His summons to the French anti-doping, the AFLD sanctions commission in this case, the date of which has not yet been communicated to him, shatters the Olympic dream of this 30-year-old fencer.

"Despite the confidence we have in Daniel, the FFE takes the decision to withdraw his name from the selection for the Tokyo Olympics so that he can best ensure his defense, and that the France team continues its preparation for the most serene way, "said the fencing federation.

The federation has therefore announced a new device.

Romain Cannone will be the third swordsman for the individual event in Tokyo on July 25, alongside Yannick Borel and Alexandre Bardenet.

Ronan Gustin takes the place of replacement for the team event scheduled five days later.

Beyond Daniel Jérent, it is a big blow for French fencing, while Jérent is one of the pillars of the men's épée team.

In this weapon, France has won all the Olympic team titles since silver in Sydney (Athens-2004, Beijing-2008, Rio-2016).

© 2021 AFP