U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Announces Third Quarter 2004 Testing Statistics

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) performed 1,725 drug tests in 66 sports during the period from July 1 through September 30, 2004 under its third quarter domestic testing program. Of those tests, 739 or approximately 43 percent were conducted without any prior notice to the athlete, either at the athlete’s home, training site, or other location. No-notice out-of-competition (OOC) testing is deemed by anti-doping leaders to be the most effective both in terms of detection and deterrence.

The balance of the tests included 228 classified as advance-notice out-of- competition tests conducted at training camps, and 758 in-competition tests conducted at 38 events. In addition to the tests completed under its own domestic program, USADA performed a total of 28 tests for the World Anti-Doping Agency, other national anti-doping agencies, and international federations. During the first nine months of the year, USADA has completed a total of 6,698 tests.

From the third quarter tests, USADA received 12 adverse laboratory reports. The detection of a prohibited substance by the laboratory may or may not ultimately result in a doping violation.

Out of the adverse laboratory reports, one was for prohibited anabolic agents; three were for stimulants; two were for Beta-2 agonists; and three were for cannabinoids. Three additional cases involved non-U.S. athletes and were referred to the athlete’s international federation for handling. Two adverse analytical findings were referred by international federations to USADA for adjudication.

There were 12 additional laboratory reports for athletes which had prior medical waivers on file for the use of a restricted/prohibited substance. These results are statistically reported as negative.

USADA is the independent anti-doping agency for Olympic sports in the United States, and is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication process for the Olympic movement in the United States. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

USADA announces its testing numbers four times annually. The statistics for doping violations including positive tests are announced at the time of the resolution and are on USADA’s website. For individual athlete testing history, visit the USADA web site at http://www.usantidoping.org.

THIRD QUARTER, 2004 U.S. ANTI-DOPING AGENCY TESTING NUMBERS