We just received the following press release.
USADA wrote:
AAA Arbitrator Finds Track & Field Athlete, Gil Roberts, Had No Fault
for Anti-Doping Rule Violation
Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 26, 2017) – USADA announced today that an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association (AAA) has rendered a decision in the case of track and field athlete, Gil Roberts, of Los Angeles, Calif., and has determined that Roberts ingested a prohibited substance without fault or negligence and is therefore immediately eligible to compete.
Roberts, 28, tested positive for probenecid as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample he provided on March 24, 2017. Probenecid is a Specified Substance in the class of Diuretics and Masking Agents and prohibited at all times 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 Policy, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Following an expedited hearing in order to resolve Roberts’ case before the upcoming U.S. National Track & Field Championships, the independent arbitrator concluded that it was more likely than not that the presence of a very low concentration of probenecid in the athlete’s sample resulted from unintentional ingestion and occurred without the fault or negligence of Roberts.
As a result, Roberts will not face a period of ineligibility for his positive test, and because the sample was collected out-of-competition, no competitive results will be disqualified.
Because of the expedited nature of the arbitration, only a partial award without reasons has been issued at this point. The operational award, as well as other arbitral decisions, can be found here. The arbitrator will issue a full reasoned decision within 30 days.
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 psychoactive 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 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, including foreign athletes competing, training, or living in the U.S. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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