USADA announced today that J.C. Cruse, of Detroit, Mich., an athlete in the sport of bobsled, has accepted a 16-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.
Cruse, 28, tested positive for dimethylbutylamine (DMBA) as the result of an in-competition urine sample he provided on January 12, 2017, at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) North American Cup. DMBA is a Specified Substance in the class of Stimulants and prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the IBSF Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
Following an investigation into the circumstances of his case, USADA accepted Cruse’s explanation that his positive test was caused by his use of a high risk dietary supplement. Detailed analysis conducted on the supplement by the WADA-accredited laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah, confirmed that the supplement contained DMBA at levels consistent with the facts of the case. Although DMBA was not listed on the Supplement Facts label, another prohibited substance, methylhexaneamine, also known as 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA), was listed on the label.
USADA and the FDA have issued past warnings and education specifically about DMAA and DMBA, and other prohibited stimulants, in dietary supplements. The currently available version of the supplement, which listed DMAA as an ingredient but contained DMBA, was added in April 2017 to the USADA High Risk List of supplements maintained on USADA’s online dietary supplement safety education and awareness resource, Supplement 411. Athletes and other sport stakeholders are reminded that, unlike medications, dietary supplements sold in the U.S. do not receive any pre-market safety or efficacy reviews by government authorities, thus an increased level of due diligence is necessary to challenge the reasons for use and understand the risks of a positive anti-doping test and/or an adverse health event.
While all athletes have access to resources like Supplement 411 and the High Risk List, USADA determined that Cruse’s perceived level of risk and subsequent level of care in relation to supplements was reduced due to never having been in the Registered Testing Pool or having received formal anti-doping education.
Cruse’s 16-month period of ineligibility began on January 12, 2017, the date his positive sample was collected. In addition, Cruse has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to January 12, 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.
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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