USADA announced today that Nicole Moore, of Sunrise, Fla., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a six-month sanction for her violation.
Moore, 25, tested positive for the prohibited substance 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (DMBA) as a result of an in-competition urine sample she provided on September 25, 2016, at the 2016 National University Championships in New Orleans, La. DMBA is a specified substance in the class of Stimulants and is prohibited in-competition 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.
Following an investigation into the circumstances of her case, USADA accepted Moore’s explanation that her positive test was caused by her use of a dietary supplement. USADA determined that Moore made efforts to check the ingredients in the supplement for prohibited substances, but due to deceptive labeling, did not realize it in fact contained a prohibited substance. Based on the evidence presented, USADA concluded that her level of fault was diminished due to the difficulty in identifying the presence of DMBA in the supplement she consumed.
USADA has added the product that caused Moore’s positive test to the list of high risk supplements maintained on USADA’s online dietary supplement safety education and awareness resource – Supplement 411 (www.supplement411.org). USADA also explains on Supplement 411 that dietary supplements are regulated in a post-market manner, meaning that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate these products prior to them being brought to the market. Dietary supplements may list prohibited substances on the label; they may misidentify prohibited substances on the label; or they may omit prohibited substances from the label altogether, which means that no organization can fully guarantee the safety of any dietary supplement.
Similar to previous warnings for methylhexaneamine (DMAA), DMBA is a stimulant found in adulterated dietary supplements that can pose serious health risks, and the FDA has issued a warning about DMBA in supplements.
Moore’s period of ineligibility began on September 25, 2016, the date her positive sample was collected. In addition, Moore has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to September 25, 2016, 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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