USADA announced today that Matthew DiBuono, of New Rochelle, N.Y., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has tested positive for prohibited substances in multiple samples and accepted a suspension for his doping offense.
DiBuono, 24, provided a sample on June 23, 2011 at the 2011 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., which resulted in an adverse analytical finding for the administration of synthetic steroids. A subsequent sample collected from DiBuono during an out-of-competition test on August 4, 2011, resulted in an adverse analytical finding for the presence of metabolites of the steroid, stanozolol. Both tests reflected the presence of anabolic agents, which are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the rules of the International Association of Athletic Federations, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. Under the rules of the Code, this case was an “aggravating circumstances” case, which allowed USADA to increase the standard two-year period of ineligibility to the maximum under the Code of a four-year period of ineligibility. In this case, those circumstances included the use of multiple prohibited substances on multiple occasions.
DiBuono accepted a four-year period of ineligibility, which began on August 17, 2011, the day he accepted a provisional sanction. As a result of the sanction, DiBuono is also disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 23, 2011, the day the first sample was collected, 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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