USADA announced today that Roger Ainslie, of Fallbrook, Calif., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a four-year sanction for his violation. This sanction was subsequently reduced by six-months at the discretion of USADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and in accordance with the rules, based on Ainslie’s prompt admission of the violation.
Ainslie, 26, tested positive for GW1516 sulfone following an in-competition urine sample he provided at the USA Cycling Elite & Jr. Track National Championships on August 3, 2017. GW1516 sulfone, a metabolite of GW1516, is a Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor δ (PPARδ) agonist and is categorized as a non-Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Cycling Union Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.
GW1516, also known as GW501516, is an experimental drug that was terminated by the pharmaceutical company after serious toxicities occurred during pre-clinical studies. In 2013, WADA issued an alert warning that GW1516, which is not approved by the FDA, is being sold illegally on the black market and obtained by athletes.
Ainslie’s 42-month period of ineligibility began on August 3, 2017, the date his positive sample was collected. In addition, Ainslie has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to August 3, 2017, 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, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global 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.
Along with education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from tips and whistleblowers. 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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