USADA announced today that Loretta Turner, of Powder Springs, Ga., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has received a four-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Turner, 70, tested positive for oxandrolone and its metabolites (epioxandrolone and 17ß-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-18-nor-2-oxa-5α-androst-13-en-3-one) as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected on July 19, 2024 at the USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor Championships. USADA was contracted by event organizers to conduct testing and results management for the event and collected Turner’s sample in accordance with the WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
Oxandrolone and its metabolites are non–Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents which are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Turner’s four-year period of ineligibility began on August 9, 2024, the date her provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Turner has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 19, 2024, the date her positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as 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 file and update athlete Whereabouts, 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 distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
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 text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at playclean@USADA.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.
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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