The executive director of the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC),, Kim Sumbler, has resigned from her position according to BoxingScene, ringing some alarm bells in the process due to the reasoning of her resignation, and the current PED case surrounding Ryan Garcia’s two failed drug tests.
During communication with BoxingScene, Kim Sumbler expressed that while her move could be considered as a surprise, her decision to resign was being planned for the past couple of months and was made to enable her to take care of her elderly parents and spend more time with her husband.
However, the timing off this resignation amidst a period where the NYSAC is supposedly reviewing Ryan Garcia’s (25-1, 20 KO’s) performance-enhancing drug (PED) case still draws plenty of questions. To substantiate, the complete lack of transparency regarding this “review process” involving Garcia gives off the impression that there is little to nothing being done on this front.
Thus far, NYSAC has only left one clear message where they explained they were in communication with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA)―who conducted the tests that discovered ostarine within two of Garcia’s samples―while “reviewing the matter”. all without clarifying nothing about the review process.
In situations such as this where a high-profile athlete tested positive for PED, actual context surrounding this review process should have been substantiated. Even a basic explanation about potential repercussions for Garcia remained absent, and while the NYSAC did mention “safety, fairness, and integrity in professional athletic competition” to be essential, they did not provide any assurance on how these principles would be maintained through this “review process”―of which again, no information has been provided except for its mentioning.
The resignation of Sumbler appears to coincide with this lack of transparency and communication that the NYSAC has exhibited following the revelation of Garcia’s positive PED tests. While no sort of corruption is alleged, it serves to show how important it is to communicate properly in order ensure the organization’s review process is truly as is safe, fair and ethical as they claim.
So far, the NYSAC has yet to give a date for when their review process will occur, but it is likely set to be held after May 22nd; the day which Garcia and his team have chosen for the B-samples to be tested.
