USADA announced today that Nicholas Saccente, of Springfield, Mass., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has tested positive for multiple prohibited substances and accepted a four-year suspension for his violation.
Saccente, 24, tested positive for testosterone and its metabolites, and for boldenone and its metabolites, as the result of an in-competition urine sample he provided on September 25, 2016, at the 2016 National University Championships in New Orleans, La. Every urine sample that USADA collects is scrutinized under an Athlete Biological Passport program that examines levels of multiple steroid biomarkers that can indicate doping. Samples that exhibit atypical qualities are then targeted for more sophisticated carbon isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analyses, as in this case, which can reveal the presence of a synthetic anabolic agent.
Testosterone and boldenone are both in the class of Anabolic Agents and prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Policy, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Saccente’s four-year period of ineligibility began on September 25, 2016, the date his positive sample was collected. In addition, Saccente has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to September 25, 2016, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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