USADA announced today that Amanda Kendall, of Bloomington, Ind., an athlete in the sport of swimming, has accepted a three-month sanction for her anti-doping rule violation.
Kendall, 27, declared the use of an inhaler called Breo Ellipta, which contains the prohibited substance vilanterol, during an out-of-competition sample collection on February 14, 2018. Vilanterol is a Specified Substance in the category of Beta-2 Agonists and 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 Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
After a thorough review of the case, including Kendall’s medical records, it was established that vilanterol was being used in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician. Although the substance was taken at the direction of a physician, the World Anti-Doping Code requires athletes to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) before using a prohibited substance.
Kendall’s three-month period of ineligibility began on February 14, 2018, the date on which she declared the prohibited substance on her doping control form. In addition, Kendall has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to February 7, 2018, the date she first used the inhaler, 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, 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.
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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