USADA announced today that Yosmani Pol Rodriguez of Weston, Fla., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a two-year sanction for his doping offense.
Pol Rodriguez, 32, tested positive for Dexamethasone as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected on March 10, 2012 at the Delray Beach Twilight Criterium. Dexamethasone is classified as a glucocorticosteroid on the World Anti-Doping Prohibited List and is prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Cycling Union (“UCI”) anti-doping rules, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Pol Rodriguez accepted a two-year period of ineligibility, which began on September 2, 2012, the date of his last competition. Pol Rodriguez has also been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to March 10, 2012, including the 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, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, 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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