USADA announced today that, Tara Harbert, of Longmont, Colorado, an athlete in the sport of baseball, has received an eight year suspension for her first and second anti-doping rule violations.
Harbert, 33, tested positive for Tamoxifen and its metabolites, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxytamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen, in out-of-competition samples collected on June 23, 2015 and July 6, 2015. Tamoxifen is a prohibited substance in the class of Hormone Antagonists and Modulators. Harbert also failed to submit to sample collection without compelling justification on August 22, 2015. The finding of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s sample as well as the failure to submit to sample collection with compelling justification are independent anti-doping rule violations and are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the rules of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), both of which adopt the World Anti-Doping Code.
Harbert’s eight-year sanction began on July 7, 2015, the day she received notice of a provisional suspension for her first positive test. As a result of the sanction, Harbert is disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 23, 2015, the date of her first positive test, 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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