USADA announced today that Dylan Fischbach, of Vermillion, South Dakota, an athlete in the sport of Paralympic basketball, has had his results disqualified for competing while ineligible.
Fischbach, 20, initially accepted a two-year period of ineligibility and loss of results in October of 2015 after failing to provide a sample as requested by a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test. Nevertheless, it has since been determined that Mr. Fischbach continued to compete in National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) competition at the collegiate level, violating the terms of his sanction. However, through its investigation USADA established that both the NWBA and Fischbach were operating under the mistaken belief that his sanction did not prohibit him from such competition. Accordingly, USADA considers Fischbach’s level of fault in this matter to be negligible. Under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes who violate the terms of their period of ineligibility can be subject to disqualification of individual results.
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.
Fischbach’s original sanction announcement can be found at: https://www.usada.org/sanction/dylan-fischbach-accepts-doping-sanction/
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