What Is the USADA?The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is the body responsible for drug testing for the Olympic Movement in the United States. The United States Olympic Committee's Select Task Force on Externalization created the USADA as a non-profit corporation under an independent Board of Directors. Other operations the USADA undertake include: - Adjudication for performance enhancing drugs
- Developing a comprehensive anti-doping program
- Enhancing research efforts
- Promoting educational programs informing athletes of the rules governing performance enhancing substances
- Education of the ethics of performance enhancing drugs
- Education of harmful effects of performance enhancing drugs
To Whom Does the USADA Apply?
The USADA focuses attention on: - U.S. Olympics athletes
- Pan Am Games athletes
- Paralympics athletes
How Does the Anti-Doping Policy Work?The USADA Anti-Doping Review Board first determines if there is sufficient evidence of doping by an athlete. The USADA then notifies the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). After 30 days of notification, the USOC affirmatively announces: - The athlete has tested positive or committed a doping offense
- The substance an nature of the offense
This policy has applied to all tests conducted after October 5, 2001 and may be subject to change. What Punishments Might I Face? The USADA may impose a variety of punishments ranging from fines to suspensions to lifetime bans. Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you are a U.S. Olympic athlete who has been accused of using performance enhancing drugs, then you should probably see a lawyer. You could be banned from the sport forever or face heavy fines. A competent sports lawyer could defend you and explain exactly what you¿re up against. |
