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U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)

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weightlifterUSADA announced today that US Weightlifting athlete Joseph Roberto, of Helena, Alabama, has received a four-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.

Roberto, 41, tested positive for the presence of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (“GHRP-2”), as the result of an in-competition sample collected on June 7, 2015 at the Masters Weightlifting Championships in Monrovia, California. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 is 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 Weightlifting Federation (“IWF”) Anti‐Doping Policy, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Roberto’s four-year sanction began on July 10, 2015, the date he was provisionally suspended. As a result of the sanction, Roberto is disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 7, 2015, the date of his sample collection, 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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