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Aussie sprinter Jessica Peris reportedly tests positive to banned substance

Sprinter Jessica Peris in action on track.

Sprinter Jessica Peris in action on track. Photo: Getty

Track and field sprinter Jessica Peris has reportedly tested positive to a banned substance.

She is the daughter of Olympic hockey gold medallist and former senator Nova Peris.

Peris pulled out of the Commonwealth Games selection trials on the Gold Coast, which ended on Sunday, and allegedly awaits the result of her B sample.

https://twitter.com/NovaPeris/status/949956682418827264

It is understood Peris failed an ASADA test. There is no indication so far of what substance was allegedly involved.

When contacted by The New Daily, Athletics Australia said they “had no comment to make” on the matter.

Peris, 27, was in contention for Commonwealth Games selection after setting personal bests this summer over 100m and 200m.

Just last month, Peris defeated leading 100m runner Riley Day at a Queensland meet and had clocked a Commonwealth Games B-standard qualifying time in the 200m.

‘I’m a resilient person’

In 2016, Peris’ personal life hit the headlines after her relationship with NRL star Shaun Kenny-Dowall broke down and ended up in court.

She told The NT News that a five-month training camp in Los Angeles with her mother’s former coach, Darrell Smith, played a big role in turning her career around.

“I was going through a little bit in my life at that time and I needed something really positive to happen,” she said.

“My mum said: ‘If you really want to do this, then this is the level you need to be at if you want to be successful in this sport’.

“So I grasped the opportunity with both hands and went over there and it was a massive sacrifice for me. I was away from my son and trained my guts out.”

She added that her resilience would get her through a difficult time in her life.

“I’m embracing every opportunity that comes my way and it’s been a rollercoaster but I believe I’m a resilient person – knock me down and I’ll get back up.”

A sporting family

Jessica’s mother, Nova, made history at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, becoming the first indigenous Australian to win gold.

At those Games, she was a member of the successful Hockeyroos team, but she then sensationally made a high-profile move to sprinting.

It proved fruitful, too, with Peris winning gold in the 200m sprint at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

She was also a member of Australia’s successful 4x100m relay team at the event.

She also competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney before later embarking on a career in politics that saw her become the first indigenous woman elected to federal parliament.

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