USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association (AAA) has rendered a decision in the case of weightlifting athlete Robert Scavilla, of Philadelphia, Pa. After an evidentiary hearing on February 22, 2023, where both Scavilla and USADA were provided a full opportunity to present their cases and witnesses to the independent arbitrator, the arbitrator determined that Scavilla will receive a four-year sanction for testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Scavilla, 62, tested positive a long-term metabolite of dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT) and other related prohibited anabolic agents, known as DHCMT M3, after he was selected by the Puerto Rico Anti-Doping Organization to provide an in-competition urine sample at the Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championship on June 10, 2022. The Puerto Rico Anti-Doping Organization then transferred the case to USADA because Scavilla is a U.S. athlete. DHCMT is a Non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and is 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 Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
Scavilla’s four-year period of ineligibility began on September 7, 2022, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Scavilla has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 10, 2022, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
This decision, as well as other arbitral decisions, can be found here.
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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