USADA announced today that Barry Miller, of Beverly, Mass., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a one-year sanction for his violation.
Miller was subject to testing due to his membership in USA Cycling, which maintains the RaceClean Program that works to fight doping in the sport of cycling. The goal of the RaceClean Program is to increase testing and education to provide greater doping deterrence and is executed through member funding, donations, and local association partnerships.
Miller, 29, provided two in-competition urine samples at the Tour of Somerville on May 29, 2017, which tested positive for the presence of an anabolic agent and/or its metabolites. His urine samples were analyzed using a specialized test that differentiates between anabolic-androgenic steroids naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The use of anabolic agents is 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 Cycling Union Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.
During USADA’s investigation into the circumstances of his case, Miller provided USADA laboratory evidence from a third-party testing entity that a supplement product he was using prior to sample collection, which did not list any prohibited substance on the Supplement Facts label, was the source of his positive tests. The contaminated products rule set forth in the Code provides the opportunity for a substantial reduction in the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility.
Miller’s one-year period of ineligibility began on May 29, 2017, the date his positive samples were collected. In addition, Miller has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to May 29, 2017, 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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