USADA announced today that Daniel Summerhill, of Centennial, Colo., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has accepted a one-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.
Summerhill, 33, tested positive for amphetamine as the result of an in-competition urine sample he provided at the Birmingham Hammerfest on August 14, 2021. Amphetamine is a Non-Specified substance in the class of Stimulants and is prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the Union Cycliste Internationale Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Summerhill’s violation resulted from his use of a medication which he used under the care of his physician to treat a diagnosed medical condition. Summerhill has since been granted a TUE to authorize his continued use of the stimulant medication.
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. If an athlete needs to use a medication prohibited in-competition, and they are nearing a competition, they are strongly encouraged to contact USADA to learn if they need a TUE.
Because Summerhill was previously in a Whereabouts pool, he is considered a national level athlete and previously received education about TUEs, making the minimum sanction in this case one year.
Summerhill’s one-year period of ineligibility began on September 2, 2021, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Summerhill has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to August 14, 2021, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
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 file and update athlete Whereabouts, 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 distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as an easy-reference wallet card with examples of prohibited and permitted substances, a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, an clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
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 text at 87232 (“USADA”), 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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