According to the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD), on 1 December 2023 at 6:50am, a UKAD Doping Control Officer (DCO) attended Jones’ hotel room in Manchester, to collect an out-of Competition urine sample.

Jones informed the DCO that she was just about to leave the hotel to go home for a dehydration bath, as she was dehydrating in preparation for a weigh-in later that day. She also told the DCO that, since she had not eaten or drank since 29 November and would not be able to pass urine until much later in the day.

The DCO confirmed to Ms Jones that she was happy to travel to her home and stay with her for the day until she could provide a sample and reminded Jones that not providing a Sample could result in an ADRV and a ban from sport.

Jones then telephoned her performance director, Gary Hall, and the latter advised her to provide a sample. Despite that Jones told the DCO that the process was taking too long and compromising her dehydration conditions. She confirmed that she needed to leave to get home and continue her dehydration and competition preparations. The DCO completed the Doping Control Form, checking the box to confirm that Ms Jones refused or failed to submit to sample collection, noting the reason as ‘unable to provide, on a dehydration day’.

Jones signed the paperwork at 7:43am and the process concluded without her providing a sample. Later that evening, at around 7:20pm, under an entirely separate Mission Order, a UKAD DCO collected a urine sample from Jones. The sample did not result in the detection of any Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods. 

UKAD subsequently commenced an investigation into Ms Jones’ refusal and/or failure to submit to Sample collection during the first Mission on 1 December 2023.

On July 11 UKAD shared the outcome of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation [ADRV] investigation. Jones has been shown to have “No Fault or Negligence for the ADRV” and can continue to compete with her competitive record intact.

“UKAD can confirm that Ms Jones committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) after ‘refusing or failing to submit to sample collection’. Following a full UKAD investigation and Results Management process, the applicable period of Ineligibility has been eliminated on the basis that Ms Jones bore No Fault or Negligence for the ADRV. 

"UKAD reached this conclusion having due regard to the specific and exceptional circumstances of Ms Jones’ case, fully supported by all the available evidence, including compelling independent medical expert reports and available medical records,” is written in the decision.

Jones told that she understood and accepted UKAD’s decision,

“At the moment this started, with me not giving a sample, I didn’t grasp the situation I was in and what could happen.  I gave a negative sample later that day, but it’s clear I made a mistake that morning. 

“What I understand now is not just the mistake I made, but the reasons it happened and that there could have been different consequences,” Jones said in her statement.

She also thanked UKAD for listening and seeing the circumstances and GB Taekwondo for their support.

“Throughout this, I’ve not been able to share anything with those close to me, including my teammates. That has been difficult, and I hope they understand.

“I can assure everyone that I am totally committed to clean sport and remain fully focused on the Olympics,” concluded Jones.

CEO of GB Taekwondo Paul Buxton reaffirmed having every confidence in Jones.

“She’s been clear about what happened on that day, candid when sharing the conditions which affected her decision-making and provided a negative sample later that afternoon.

“Jade accepts UKAD’s decision and is fully committed to clean sport,” said Buxton.