USADA announced today that Anthony Ferraro, of Spring Lake, N.J., an athlete in the sport of Paralympic Judo, has accepted a six-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.
Ferraro, 23, tested positive for Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Carboxy-THC), the pharmacologically-active metabolite of marijuana and/or hashish, above the decision limit of 180 ng/mL, as a result of a urine sample collected in-competition on May 12, 2018, at the 2018 USA Judo Senior National Championships. 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 International Blind Sports Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Ferraro accepted a six-month period of ineligibility that began on May 12, 2018, the date his positive sample was collected. Based on Ferraro’s successful completion of a USADA anti-doping educational tutorial, his period of ineligibility was reduced by three months and is now scheduled to expire on August 12, 2018. In addition, Ferraro has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on May 12, 2018, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Athletes are advised that the use of a substance or medication out-of-competition, that is prohibited only in-competition, may result in an anti-doping rule violation if the prohibited substance is still present in their body when tested at a competition. USADA cannot predict the clearance time for any substance for any particular individual. If an athlete needs to therapeutically use a substance prohibited in-competition and they are nearing a competition, they are strongly encouraged to contact USADA to learn if they need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
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 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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