USADA announced today that Trell Kimmons, of Coldwater, Miss., an athlete in the sport of track & field, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a two-year sanction for his violation.
Kimmons, 31, tested positive for the prohibited substance 1,3-dimethylbutylamine as a result of an in-competition urine sample he provided on March 12, 2016, at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Indoor Championships in Portland, Ore. This substance is in the class of Simulants and is prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Association of Athletics Federations Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
During its investigation of the case, USADA determined that the athlete ingested the prohibited substance through a supplement. Kimmons’ period of ineligibility began on April 14, 2016, the date he accepted a provisional suspension. In addition, Kimmons has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to March 12, 2016, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
As USADA explains on its Supplement 411 resource, dietary supplements are regulated in a post-market manner, meaning that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate these products prior to them being brought to the market and no organization can guarantee the safety of any dietary supplement. Dietary supplements may list prohibited substances on the label; they may misidentify prohibited substances on the label; or they may omit prohibited substances from the label altogether.
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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