USADA announced today that Kenna Wolter of Santa Maria, Calif., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a two-year sanction for her anti-doping rule violations while a member of the Thinking Feet Track Club.
In 2016, USADA obtained non-analytical evidence that Wolter, 28, used and possessed two dietary supplements, one containing ostarine and the other containing methylstenbolone. She used one of the supplements for a couple weeks in late 2015 and the other supplement for two to three weeks in March 2016. Ostarine and methylstenbolone are non-Specified Substances 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 Association of Athletics Federations Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Ostarine, also known as MK-2866 and Enobosarm, is a non-FDA approved selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that is illegally sold in the United States and worldwide as a performance-enhancing substance. Ostarine is not currently available as a prescription medication in any country, and its unauthorized use may carry serious side effects. Nonetheless, ostarine has been found as a declared and undeclared ingredient in many dietary supplements sold in the United States, which has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue warning letters to specific dietary supplement manufacturers stating that ostarine is an unapproved new drug and that selling the drug is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. More information about the risks of ostarine can be found through a USADA athlete advisory.
During USADA’s investigation, Wolter, who had previously been in the USADA Registered Testing Pool and received anti-doping education, immediately admitted to using dietary supplements containing prohibited substances based on the recommendation and assurances of her coach, Kenta Bell of the Thinking Feet Track Club. USADA concluded that a reduction in the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility was appropriate based on Wolter’s prompt admission of her anti-doping rule violations, full cooperation, and substantial assistance to USADA officials since the start of its investigation.
Wolter’s two-year period of ineligibility began on December 13, 2016, the date she admitted her anti-doping rule violations. In addition, Wolter has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to November 30, 2015, the approximate date she first possessed and used a prohibited substance, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. To date, Wolter is one of nine individuals affiliated with the Thinking Feet Track Club to have accepted a sanction during the course of USADA’s investigation.
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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