USADA announced today that Jonathan North, of Weed, Calif., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has received a 2-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation due to his failure to properly file whereabouts information.
At the time of the violation, North, 28, was a member of the USADA Registered Testing Pool, which consists of a select group of athletes subject to certain whereabouts requirements in order to be located for USADA Out-of-Competition testing. North failed to comply with the whereabouts requirements and, as a result, accrued three Whereabouts Failures within an 18-month period. The combination of three Whereabouts Failures within an 18-month time period constituted a rule violation under the 2009 World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) in place at the time of his violation. Also at the time of violation, the 2009 Code had been adopted and was enforced by the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Policy. Because North accrued his three Whereabouts within a 12-month period, dated based on his inclusion in the USADA Registered Testing Pool, his conduct would have constituted a violation under the provisions of the 2015 Code as well.
North’s 2-year period of ineligibility began on January 14, 2015, the date the sanction was imposed. As a result of the violation, North has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to July 1, 2014, the date of his third Whereabouts Failure, 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.
For more information or media inquiries, click here.