USADA announced today that Obichukwu Igbokwe, of Houston, Texas, an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a 30-month suspension for an anti-doping rule violation.
Igbokwe, 24, tested positive for 4‐chloro‐18‐nor‐17β‐hydroxymethyl, 17α‐methyl‐5α‐androst‐13‐en‐3α‐ol (M3), a metabolite of dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT or oral turinabol) and/or other related 4‐chlorinated, 17α‐methylated anabolic steroids as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample collected on May 26, 2020. DHCMT and all anabolic steroids are non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and 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 Policies, 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.
After considering the case, including the substantial assistance that Igbokwe provided, USADA determined that a 30-month sanction was appropriate. Igbokwe’s period of ineligibility began on May 26, 2020, the date his positive sample was collected. In addition, Igbokwe has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on and subsequent to May 26, 2020, 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 an easy-reference wallet card with examples of prohibited and permitted substances, a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, an athlete 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 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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