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<\/a>In 2021, U.S. pairs skaters Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson<\/a> endured the most challenging year of their careers. Calalang learned in February that she had tested positive for a metabolite of a banned stimulant. The news led to eight tense, trying months of uncertainty, as Calalang sought to prove she was innocent of wrongdoing. On September 30, 2021, Calalang was fully cleared by national and international anti-doping agencies, as evidence emerged that the metabolite in question could also be produced by a cosmetic preservative in sunscreens and (in Calalang\u2019s case) cosmetic products. Calalang and Johnson rejoiced at the news, having struggled to maintain their optimism amid the long months in competitive limbo.<\/p>\n\u201cAt Nationals last year [January 2021], we didn\u2019t have the skates that we wanted, but we were very thankful that we were given the opportunity to go to Worlds and actually have a World Championships, since we didn\u2019t go the year before because of COVID-19. So that was something that we were really excited about, and very motivated to work toward. And that all quickly changed when I received the email about my violated drug test. Then, the emotions were just all over the place,\u201d Calalang recounted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was definitely an experience that we wish we didn\u2019t have to have,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Although the team tried to push through and stay strong, it was far from easy. \u201cAs the days and the weeks passed, where it didn\u2019t look like things were going in our favor, we started to drag our feet,\u201d Calalang admitted. \u201cIt was hard to come in and train. We were in a state of the unknown. We had no idea what our future had in store for us. And as much as we wanted to prepare, and hope for the best, it was not fun. I hated it; he hated it. It was awful. It was traumatic. And I hope that no one [else] ever has to go through that.\u201d<\/p>\n
By early summer 2021, things started to look up for Calalang and Johnson. Another athlete\u2013Rob Font, a UFC fighter\u2013tested positive for the same metabolite, and research indicated that, in his case, the metabolite resulted from use of sunscreen. Calalang\u2019s provisional suspension was lifted, and she and Johnson were able to compete at several late-summer events, including Cranberry Cup and the John Nicks Pairs Challenge, where they won bronze and silver, respectively.<\/p>\n
Then, they received the long-hoped-for news that Calalang was cleared and reinstated to full competition status, with her funding restored. Calalang and Johnson carried that positive momentum into their next few competitions. They placed a close 4th at Finlandia Trophy and 5th at Skate America.<\/p>\n In mid-November, Calalang and Johnson competed at Warsaw Cup in Poland, where they had their best free skate of the season, scoring 135.16.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were really happy for about 8 minutes [afterward],\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n Then, Calalang and Johnson were horrified to see U.S. training mates Chelsea Liu and Danny O\u2019Shea suffer a traumatic fall during their long program, which came shortly after Calalang and Johnson\u2019s at Warsaw. Liu and O\u2019Shea had to be helped off the ice, and withdrew from the event.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were really scared and sad for our training mates,\u201d Johnson said soberly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were watching as it was happening,\u201d Calalang recalled. \u201cWe know their program, so we knew they were almost done. And then, that happened \u2026. We have known them for so long, on a deep level. Because Brian used to skate with Chelsea [2014-18], and I used to skate with Danny [2009-10]. We train together. So it was very scary. We wanted to be there for them, whatever they needed.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson had previously scheduled a flight home for that night, so he went to the airport after the event concluded. \u201cJess was giving me updates while I was at the airport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Calalang returned to their hotel. \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep. I was so scared for them, and I was so concerned,\u201d she said. \u201cSo I hung out in the lobby with Jenni [Meno, their coach] and our team leader. I stayed up all night waiting for them to get back from the hospital. When they came back, they were in relatively good spirits, and it was really nice to see both of them smiling and talkative. That was comforting. But in the four hours that we didn\u2019t know what was happening\u2013and being in a foreign country, with head trauma\u2013I can\u2019t imagine how scary that must have been [for them].\u201d<\/p>\n Back home in California, Calalang and Johnson have tried to keep in touch with Liu and O\u2019Shea during their recovery. \u201cBut with concussion protocols, you can\u2019t really be on your phone or doing a whole lot,\u201d Calalang explained. \u201cSo it\u2019s been minimal contact, but they need to rest. And that is something that we know and respect.\u201d [Liu and O\u2019Shea withdrew from U.S. Nationals last week.]<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Calalang and Johnson began preparing for Golden Spin of Zagreb, a Challenger Series event in Croatia in early December.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/figureskatersonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_2966_edit-200x300.jpg\")
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<\/a>Calalang and Johnson also feel that their experience with the drug violation ordeal should provide perspective on the day-to-day challenges of training and competition.<\/p>\n