USADA announced today that Shawn D’Aurelio, of Dana Point, Calif., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has accepted a four-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation related to his refusal to provide a sample.
D’Aurelio, 34, refused to provide a sample as requested by a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test on July 13, 2016. Evading sample collection, or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection, without compelling justification is a doping violation under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
D’Aurelio’s four-year period of ineligibility began on September 29, 2016, the date he accepted the sanction. In addition, D’Aurelio has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 13, 2016, the date he refused to submit a sample, 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 psychoactive 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, including foreign athletes competing, training, or living in the U.S. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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