USADA announced today that Kayla Bushey, of Nashville, Tenn., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a two-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.
Bushey, 23, was sanctioned for her use and possession of products marketed as dietary supplements containing ostarine and arimistane (Androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione) in June 2016. Ostarine is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents, while arimistane is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, and both substances are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Association of Athletics Federations Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
During USADA’s investigation, Bushey admitted to ordering and using products that listed ostarine and arimistane as ingredients, based on the recommendation of a trusted source. Due to the circumstances that led Bushey to purchase the products, USADA determined that Bushey should receive a sanction reduction from four to two years.
Bushey’s two-year period of ineligibility began on December 19, 2016, the date on which she acknowledged her use and possession of the prohibited substances. In addition, Bushey has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 11, 2016, the date she ordered the products containing prohibited substances, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
The products containing prohibited substances that Bushey used were both added to the USADA High Risk List in January 2017. Ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), and arimistane, an aromatase inhibitor, are found in adulterated dietary supplements and are unapproved drugs, which do not meet the FDA definition of a dietary ingredient, and may present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or adverse health event to consumers.
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, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global 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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