USADA announced today that US Weightlifting athlete Cicely Kyle, of Pensacola, Florida, has accepted a two-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.
Kyle, 22, tested positive for the presence of an androgenic anabolic steroid or its precursors, as the result of an in-competition sample collected on August 14, 2015 at the USA Weightlifting National Championships in Dallas, Texas. Anabolic Agents are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) National Anti-Doping Policies (“USOC NADP”) and the International Weightlifting Federation (“IWF”) Anti‐Doping Policy, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Kyle’s two-year sanction began on October 2, 2015, the day she received notice of her provisional suspension. As a result of the sanction, Kyle is disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to August 14, 2015, the date of her sample collection, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
Ms. Kyle, who has been competing in weightlifting competitions for less than two years, listed her ingestion of the prohibited substance DHEA on her doping control form at the time her sample was collected. She explained: “I did not realize the over the counter substance, DHEA, was prohibited. I never intended to use a prohibited substance and did not know that it is possible to acquire banned drugs over the counter. I am heartbroken by this positive test and hope others will learn from my example and be more vigilant.”
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, 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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