USADA announced today that Michael Smith, 17, of Fryeburg, Maine, an athlete in the sport of ski and snowboard, has accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for several potent anabolic agents.
“This case speaks to the alarming accessibility of dangerous and powerful substances, even for minors, that have the potential to significantly impact the health of athletes and the integrity of competitions,” said Travis T. Tygart, USADA CEO. “We’re so grateful for tips, like the one in this case, that allow us to conduct the investigations and testing necessary to root out these threats to athlete safety and fair sport.”
Due to the concerning nature of a minor testing positive for multiple dangerous prohibited substances, USADA conducted further investigation of the athlete support personnel involved with Smith as well as teammates and other athletes in Smith’s circle. Through its investigation, USADA determined that no athlete support personnel or other adults assisted Smith in his doping.
Smith tested positive for methasterone and its metabolite (2α,17α-dimethyl-5α-androstane-3α,17ß-diol), methenolone and its metabolite (3α-hydroxy-1-methylene-5α-androstan-17-one), ostarine, drostanolone and its metabolite (3α-hydroxy-2α-methyl-5α- androstan-17-one), a clostebol metabolite (4-chloro-3α-hydroxy-androst-4-en-17-one) and methandienone and its metabolites during two out-of-competition sample collections on April 29, 2024 and May 29, 2024. Additionally, Smith’s urine samples were analyzed using a specialized test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin. The IRMS analysis further confirmed the presence of exogenous testosterone and/or its metabolites in both of Smith’s samples.
All substances 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 International Ski and Snowboard Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Smith qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility.
Smith’s three-year period of ineligibility began on June 4, 2024, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Smith has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to April 29, 2024, the date his first 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.
For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.