USADA announced today that a three-member panel of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based in Lausanne, Switzerland, rendered its decision in the appeal, filed by cyclist Flavia Oliveira, of an earlier American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitration award finding Oliveira committed an anti-doping rule violation.
The CAS Panel confirmed Oliveira’s anti-doping rule violation while shortening her period of ineligibility from 24 months to 18 months. The CAS Panel also changed the start date for Oliveira’s period of ineligibility, finding that her sanction should start on August 30, 2009, the date she last competed in an event, rather than on June 19, 2009, the date of her sample collection, as found in the AAA award. As a consequence of the CAS Panel decision, Oliveira will be eligible to compete again on March 1, 2011. Oliveira has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to July 19, 2009, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Oliveira, 28, of Livermore, California, provided her sample after the second stage of the Giro del Trentino Donne, held in Italy. The sample resulted in an adverse analytical finding for oxilofrine, which is in the class of stimulants and prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the rules of the International Cycling Union (UCI), both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
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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