USADA announced today that an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association (AAA) has rendered a decision in the case of archery athlete Bob Eyler, of Dundee, Mich., and has determined that Eyler should receive a two-year sanction after testing positive for two prohibited substances at the Vegas Shoot on February 11, 2018, which is organized by the National Field Archery Association.
Eyler, 39, tested positive for propranolol and carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (carboxy-THC), the urinary metabolite of THC, the principal psychoactive constituent of marijuana and/or hashish, above the decision limit of 180 ng/mL, as a result of a urine sample collected in-competition on February 11, 2018, after winning the Vegas Shoot. Propranolol is a Specified Substance in the category of Beta Blockers and prohibited at all times in in the sports of shooting and archery. Marijuana and hashish are Specified Substances in the class of Cannabinoids and prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the World Archery Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
After a full evidentiary hearing, the independent arbitrator imposed a two-year period of ineligibility because Eyler did not familiarize himself with the applicable rules prior to competing. The arbitrator noted that if pleading lack of familiarity with the rules was a valid excuse, then the anti-doping rules would be meaningless.
Eyler’s two-year period of ineligibility began on September 28, 2018, the date his sanction was imposed. As a result of the doping violation, Eyler’s competitive results obtained on and subsequent to February 11, 2018, the date his positive sample was collected, have been disqualified, and any medals, points, and prizes are forfeited. Accordingly, Eyler’s results have been disqualified from the Vegas Shoot, the Indoor NFAA Nationals held on March 10-11, 2018, and an Archery Shooter’s Association event in London, Kentucky held on May 31, 2018. Eyler also forfeits $52,000 in prize money from the Vegas Shoot.
This decision, as well as 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 obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements (www.Supplement411.org) 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 distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as an easy-reference wallet card with examples of prohibited and permitted substances, a supplement guide, an athlete handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
Along with education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from tips and whistleblowers. 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 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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