USADA announced today that Ryan Hudson, of Sisters, Ore., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a four-year suspension for his violation.
Hudson, 38, tested positive for stanozolol and its metabolites 16ß-hydroxystanozolol and 4ß-hydroxystanozolol as the result of an in-competition urine sample he provided on December 5, 2015, at the American Open in Reno, Nev. Stanozolol is a 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 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.
The detection of certain anabolic agents, including stanozolol, has been greatly increased due to advances in the discovery and identification of new long-term metabolites, which are routinely tested for in athlete samples.
Athletes who test positive for doping substances, such as anabolic agents, which are categorized as “non-specified substances,” automatically receive a provisional suspension, making the athlete ineligible from the start date of the provisional suspension. The provisional suspension process therefore generally permits the athlete’s sanction to run from the date of the provisional suspension. In Hudson’s case, however, he participated in activities sanctioned by USA Weightlifting after his provisional suspension was imposed. USADA ultimately determined that Hudson’s violation of the provisional suspension was inadvertent and that he abided by the terms of his provisional suspension after being notified of the violation. As a result, USADA determined that it was appropriate to begin his period of ineligibility 30 days after the date on which he violated his period of ineligibility.
Hudson’s period of ineligibility began on May 24, 2016, 30 days after he violated his provisional suspension. In addition, Hudson has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to December 5, 2015, the date his sample was collected, 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.
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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