U.S. TRACK ATHLETE ALVIN HARRISON RECEIVES FOUR-YEAR SUSPENSION FOR PARTICIPATION IN BALCO DRUG CONSPIRACY
USADA Press Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 19, 2004) - The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Tuesday that Alvin Harrison of Raleigh, N.C., an athlete in the sport of track and field, accepted a four-year suspension for his drug violations.   

Harriso, 30, was charged by USADA with multiple violations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) anti-doping rules based, in part, on documentary evidence received by USADA from the U.S. Senate in May of 2004. The evidence against Harrison did not include a positive test.

Following the review of this evidence and on the advice of counsel, Harrison acknowledged his violation of the rules and accepted a four-year suspension. Harrison admitted to using numerous undetectable performance-enhancing drugs, including anabolic steroids known as the “clear” and the “cream,” insulin, erythropoietin (EPO), growth hormone and modafinil. In addition to his suspension, which began on Oct. 18, 2004, the date he accepted the sanction, Harrison forfeits all of his competitive results and winnings since Feb. 1, 2001.

This is the second non-analytical positive case involving athletes associated with BALCO resolved by USADA this year. Additionally, 10 athletes have received sanctions for testing positive for THG or modafinil, two of the drugs linked to BALCO. In four of the 10 cases, independent arbitration panels issued the sanctions following full evidentiary hearings, none of which were appealed by the athletes. In the other six cases, the athletes, with the assistance of counsel, accepted the sanction recommended by USADA for their respective drug violations.

“We said a year ago that the situation at BALCO appeared to be doping of the worst sort. Unfortunately, this has proven to be true. USADA is thankful for the steadfast support of the clean athletes, the U.S. Senate, the USOC and the IAAF as we continue our efforts to protect the rights of clean athletes and seek justice for those who have cheated their fellow competitors and defrauded the public,” said USADA Chief Executive Officer Terry Madden.

USADA became the independent anti-doping agency for U.S. athletes for the Olympic movement in October 2000, and is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic Movement.

USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

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