USADA announced today that Anthony McCauley, of Raynham, Mass., an athlete in the sport of triathlon, has accepted a sanction for anti-doping rule violations.
“This case is another example of the importance of those in sport standing up to protect the culture of their sport and fairness for all,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We welcome and thoroughly review every piece of information we receive and, like here, take action when appropriate so those coming forward are confident that standing up will result in clean, fair competition.”
After receiving information from a whistleblower, USADA initiated an investigation that uncovered evidence demonstrating that McCauley, 46, possessed and used BPC-157 and TB-500. USADA also determined that McCauley used social media to promote various prohibited substances, such as BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and tesamorelin to his followers, some of whom were athletes subject to the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). By encouraging his followers to purchase and use prohibited substances, McCauley’s actions qualified as attempted complicity, which is a violation under the rules.
BPC-157 is a Specified Substance in the class of Non-Approved Substances and TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and tesamorelin are non–Specified Substances in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics. The use and possession of non–Specified Substances carries a default sanction of four years. All of these substances are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, and ipamorelin are not approved for human clinical use, and their use poses significant health risks for athletes. The FDA has reported multiple safety risks with these—and other—injectable peptides, including the potential for immune reactions, cardiac events, and even death.
Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, McCauley qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise asserted five-year period of ineligibility.
McCauley’s four-year period of ineligibility began on September 9, 2025, the date he accepted the sanction. In addition, McCauley has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and after June 1, 2024, the date he began using the prohibited substances, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents, coaches, and medical professionals 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 (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport 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.
For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.