Alysha Newman, the Canadian Olympic pole vaulter and popular OnlyFans creator, has issued a statement after being suspended from her sport.
The 31-year-old athlete, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was handed a whereabouts suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after reportedly missing three doping tests within 12 months.
According to AIU guidelines, athletes must report their whereabouts daily for anti-doping testing, providing a one-hour window for testers to find them, Daily Mail reported.
A failure to provide accurate location information or being unavailable for testing three times in a 12-month period results in a whereabouts violation.
Newman's Response to the Suspension
Newman took to Instagram to share a heartfelt video with her followers, explaining her side of the story.
"I’ve been getting so many texts... so I feel I need to clear the air," she said. "I owe it to Canada. I owe it to the people who have supported me from my first drug test at 16."
Newman clarified that she has never used performance-enhancing drugs or steroids. "I have never taken any enhanced drugs and have never taken steroids," she stated. "This suspension is simply a whereabouts failure."
"I’ve never missed three in a calendar year, since I’ve been 16 years old...I fell short this year. We are in the process of figuring it out," she explained.
The athlete reassured fans that this suspension is not the end of her career. "It isn’t the last time you’ll see me - just give me some time," she concluded, thanking her supporters for their understanding.
The AIU has yet to provide further details about the suspension, including when exactly the missed tests occurred.
While the suspension is provisional, it could result in a ban ranging from 12 months to two years, depending on the outcome of the AIU's hearing.
Athletics Canada responded to the news of Newman's appealable suspension yesterday, stating: "This is an unfortunate situation, and Athletics Canada hopes to see Alysha Newman back as part of our National Team Program when she is eligible."
A Dual Career in Sports and OnlyFans
Newman’s suspension follows a series of high-profile events in her career, including her viral moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she celebrated her bronze medal win by twerking.
The athlete also gained widespread attention after launching an OnlyFans account. Her decision to join the platform was driven by her desire to take control of her image in the sports world.
In an interview with Daily Mail Sport in 2022, she explained: "Whether I liked it or not, I was sexualized in the sport naturally by what I wear, and my beauty."
"If I showed up in full leggings and a sports bra that covered my stomach, people would still sexualise me. I mean, it just never stops," she continued. "When I decided to launch OnlyFans, it was really important for me to be a part of something I could control."
While her choice to maintain both careers has sparked debates, Newman remains resolute.
"When I was a little girl, I was told I had to choose: be an athlete or be a model. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t be both," she shared in 2025. "But for a long time, I believed them and chose athletics. I poured my heart and soul into it."