USADA announced today that Ashley Paulson, of Pleasant Grove, Utah an athlete in the sport of triathlon, has accepted a 6-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for a prohibited substance from a contaminated supplement.
Paulson, 34, tested positive for ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample collected on September 14, 2015. SARMs are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Anti-Doping Rules and the World Triathlon Corporation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Prohibited List. Subsequent examination and testing of a supplement Paulson used revealed that it was contaminated with ostarine.
Paulson’s period of ineligibility began on October 16, 2015, the date on which she received notice of a provisional suspension. In addition, Paulson has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to September 14, 2015, the date the 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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