USADA announced today that Michael Buckley, of Reno, Nev., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has tested positive for multiple prohibited substances and accepted a four-year sanction for his rule violation.
Buckley, 41, tested positive for the presence of an exogenous anabolic steroid which was confirmed by CIR (GC/C/IRMS) analysis, anastrozole, LGD-4033, and ostarine as the result of an out-of-competition sample collected on December 5, 2015. Anastrozole is a substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, while exogenous anabolic steroids, ostarine, and LGD-4033 are considered anabolic agents. These substances are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) National Anti-Doping Policies (USOC NADP) and the International Cycling Union (ICU) Anti-Doping Rules, all of whom have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Buckley’s period of ineligibility began on January 20, 2016, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Buckley has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to December 5, 2015, the date the 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, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, 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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