Former University of Texas All-American swimmer Madisyn Cox is suing a company connected to Cooper Clinic after a banned substance was found in her system, resulting in her suspension by the Olympic affiliate for water sports, Dallas Morning News reports.
Cox says the multi-vitamin contained trimetazidine, a banned substance that is not approved for sale in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration, DMN reports. A lab accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency found the substance in the vitamin she was taking.
Though she was cleared to swim in 2018, Cox says the damage was done in the two year ban, as the world-class swimmer was unable to participate in olympic qualifying competitions or obtain sponsorships, DMN reports. Cooper Concepts Inc., part of the business operations of Cooper Clinic, stopped using the manufacturer for the vitamin when they found out about the substance. “We carefully formulated the ingredients to be included in our products and we relied on our manufacturer to produce products accordingly,” Cooper Concepts told DMN.
“We are evaluating the allegations and claims in the lawsuit. In September 2018, Cooper Concepts learned of Madisyn Cox’s complaint about the Cooper vitamin supplement she had been using and immediately removed it from its product line. We are saddened and disappointed for Madisyn Cox and any competitions she missed.” Cooper Concepts said in a statement. “We carefully formulate ingredients to be included in our products and expect adherence to all appropriate standards.”
Cooper Clinic was founded by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, whose work has spanned decades and helped establish modern thought around aerobics and heart health, and launched a nutritional supplements brand over 20 years ago.
Read the entire Dallas Morning News story here.
