USADA announced today that Ryan Dana, of Tampa, Florida, an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a 21-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for a prohibited substance administered with the support of a medical advisor.
Dana, 34, tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (“DHEA”) as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected at the U.S. National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 18, 2014. DHEA is substance in the class of Anabolic Agents prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing (the “Protocol”) and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Policy, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”), and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
USADA accepted Dana’s explanation that he was using a product containing DHEA under the care of a medical advisor; however, his use of DHEA still constituted a violation because he failed to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption as required under the rules. After considering all the relevant circumstances, USADA determined that a 21-month period of ineligibility, rather than the standard two-year period of ineligibility, was the appropriate sanction for Dana’s anti-doping rule violation. Dana’s period of ineligibility began on July 18, 2014, the date his sample was collected. In addition, Dana has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 18, 2014, 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, 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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