USADA announced today that Nia Williams, of San Diego, California, an athlete in the sport of rugby, has tested positive for prohibited substances and received a four-year sanction for her violation.
Williams, 22, tested positive for 19‐norandrosterone (“19‐NA”), and 2a‐methyl‐5a‐androstan‐3a-ol‐17‐one, metabolites of the prohibited anabolic agents nandrolone (or its precursors) and drostanolone, respectively, as the result of an out-of-competition test on November 6, 2015. Williams also tested positive for 19‐NA, drostanolone and its metabolite 2a‐methyl‐5a‐androstan‐3a-ol‐17‐one, as the result of an in-competition test on December 3, 2015, at the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Seven Series in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
These substances are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) National Anti-Doping Policies (USOC NADP), and the World Rugby Anti‐doping Regulations, all of whom have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Williams’ period of ineligibility began on December 7, 2015, when she received notice of her provisional suspension. In addition, Williams has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to November 6, 2015, the date her first positive sample was collected, 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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