USADA announced today that a three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association Commercial Arbitration Tribunal (AAA) has rendered its decision in the case of track and field athlete, Greg Pizza, of San Diego, Calif., and has determined that Pizza should receive a 20-month sanction for his rule violation.
Pizza provided a urine sample on July 25, 2015, at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Masters National Track & Field Championships in Jacksonville, FL. His sample tested positive for the presence of an exogenous anabolic steroid which was confirmed by CIR (GC/C/IRMS) analysis. Exogenous Anabolic Steroids are listed as Prohibited Substances under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) National Anti-Doping Policies (“USOC NADP”), and the USATF Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the WADA Code (the “Code”) and the WADA Prohibited List.
Pizza’s 20-month period of ineligibility began on September 11, 2015, the date his provisional suspension was imposed, and the period of ineligibility expires on May 10, 2017. As a result of the doping violation, Pizza has also been disqualified from all competitive results achieved between July 25, 2015, the date of his positive test, and September 11, 2015, the date his provisional suspension began, 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 psychoactive 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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