The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today that Morgan Hamm, of Columbus, OH, an athlete in the sport of Gymnastics, tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a public warning for his first offense. The doping offense involved the use of a prescribed anti-inflammatory medication under the care of a physician but without first seeking a therapeutic use exemption as required by the applicable rules.
Hamm, 25, tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticosteroid, on May 24, 2008. Triamcinolone acetonide is a prohibited glucocorticosteroid under the rules of the Federation International of Gymnastics (FIG) and USADA, both of which adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List. Although triamcinolone acetonide is a prohibited substance under the applicable rules, an athlete who provides documentation in advance of competition, confirming the diagnosis of a valid medical need, may receive an exemption allowing the use of the substance. At the time of the test, Hamm did not have an exemption to use triamcinolone acetonide.
As a result of the violation, Hamm is disqualified from the competitive results obtained on May 24, 2008, the day the sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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