USADA announced today that Kelly (Breanne) Dykes, of Statesboro, Ga., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has received an eight-year sanction for her second anti-doping rule violation.
Dykes, 22, tested positive for ostarine as the result of an out‐of‐competition urine sample she provided on February 19, 2017, which was several months after she was notified of the positive sample that resulted in her first violation. Ostarine is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and 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 International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Policy, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Dykes’ eight-year period of ineligibility began on March 17, 2017, the date her provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, under the terms of her first sanction, Dykes has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to September 24, 2016, the date her first positive sample was collected, 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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