USADA announced today that Jeffery Miller of Louisville, Ky., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has accepted a six-year sanction for his anti-doping rule violations. Due to Miller’s cooperation in an investigation of another athlete, the sanction has been reduced to four years.
Miller, 44, voluntarily admitted that, from 2015 to 2016, he possessed and used three prohibited substances: testosterone, human growth hormone (hGH), and oxandrolone. Testosterone and oxandrolone are non-Specified substances in the class of Anabolic Agents, while hGH is a non-Specified substance in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics. These substances are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the Union Cycliste International (UCI) Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
In addition to possessing and using prohibited substances, Miller is being sanctioned for administration and complicity under Articles 2.8 and 2.9 of the Code after admitting that he facilitated the use of prohibited substances by another athlete. Under the Code, an individual who commits an administration violation is subject to a period of ineligibility of four years to life.
Due to Miller’s voluntary admission of his anti-doping rule violations, cooperation, and substantial assistance in uncovering and establishing another athlete committed anti-doping rule violations, Miller was eligible for, and received, a reduced sanction under the Code. Miller’s four-year period of ineligibility began on November 15, 2016, the date he admitted his anti-doping rule violations. In addition, Miller has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to January 1, 2015, the approximate date he first purchased a prohibited substance, 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.
Along with education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from tips and whistleblowers. 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 email at playclean@usada.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail at the address below.
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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