USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has rendered a decision in the case of speedskating athlete Kamyrn Lute of South Jordan, Utah. After an evidentiary hearing on August 13, 2024, where both Lute and USADA were provided a full opportunity to present their cases and witnesses to the independent arbitrator, the arbitrator determined that Lute, 19, will receive a one-year sanction after using a supplement containing BPC-157 that was recommended by a medical provider. Lute never tested positive for BPC-157 or any other prohibited substance, but she declared the use of the supplement containing BPC-157 and admitted to using the supplement during USADA’s investigation.
BPC-157 is a specified substance in the category of Non-Approved Substances and is 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 International Skating Union Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
In cases involving a positive test or use of a specified substance such as BPC-157, the default sanction is two years. Lute received a one-year reduction under Article 10.7.2 of the Code which allows for such a reduction when an athlete admits to an anti-doping rule violation in the absence of any other evidence. The arbitrator determined that no other reduction was appropriate because Lute did not establish that she was not significantly at fault or negligent with respect to her violation.
Lute’s one-year period of ineligibility began on April 10, 2024, the date she was provisionally suspended. Article 10.10 of the Code provides that all competitive results an athlete obtains from the date a rule violation occurs through the date a provisional suspension is imposed shall be disqualified unless fairness requires otherwise. The arbitrator declined to disqualify Lute’s competitive results obtained between May 7, 2023 (the date Lute first declared use of the supplement containing the prohibited substance) and April 10, 2024 (the date USADA notified Lute of her violation and imposed a provisional suspension).
The decision, as well as all other arbitral decisions, can be found here.
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 (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.
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