USADA announced today that Timothy Hearn, of Fort Smith, Ark., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a three-year suspension for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances and using prohibited methods.
Hearn, 40, tested positive for 19-norandrosterone (19-NA), the main metabolite of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) and other 19-norsteroids, clomiphene, trenbolone metabolite epitrenbolone, and GW1516 (GW501516) metabolites GW1516 sulfone and GW1516 sulfoxide, as the result of an in-competition drug test conducted at the 2022 Masters Weightlifting National Championship on April 24, 2022. USADA was contracted by event organizers to conduct testing and results management for the event and collected Hearn’s sample in accordance with the WADA International Standard for Testing. 19-NA and trenbolone are Non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents, while clomiphene is a Specified Substance and GW1516 is non-Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. Hearn also declared the use of prohibited methods in the form of a blood transfusion on April 14, 2022, and an intravenous infusion greater than 100mL per 12‐hour period on April 23, 2022.
These substances and methods are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Hearn qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility.
Hearn’s three-year period of ineligibility began on May 27, 2022, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Hearn has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on and subsequent to April 24, 2022, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as 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 file and update athlete Whereabouts, 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 distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
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 text at 87232 (“USADA”), 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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