USADA announced today that Madeline Wethington, of Edina, Minn., an athlete in the sport of ice hockey, has accepted a public warning for failing to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) prior to her use of an otherwise prohibited medication. Wethington’s violation resulted from her use of spironolactone, a topical prescription medication, which she used under the care of a dermatologist for a diagnosed medical condition. Wethington, 21, declared the use of her medication on her doping control form at the time of sample collection and subsequently obtained a TUE through the established process under international rules authorizing future use of this medication in sport.
Because Wethington’s positive sample from September 16, 2021 was collected out of competition, there are no competitive results to disqualify.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as 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 file and update athlete Whereabouts, 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 distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as an easy-reference wallet card with examples of prohibited and permitted substances, a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, an athlete handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (USADA), by email at playclean@usada.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253), or by mail.
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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