USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has rendered a decision in the case of weightlifting athlete Nicholas Dondzila of Saint Louis, Mo. After an evidentiary hearing on April 22, 2025, the arbitrator determined that Dondzila, 32, will receive a four-year sanction after testing positive for a prohibited substance and admitting to the possession of a prohibited substance. Dondzila tested positive for ostarine as a result of an in-competition urine sample collected at the North American Open Series 1 & National University Championships weightlifting event on March 1, 2024.
Ostarine is a non–Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Dondzila’s four-year period of ineligibility began on March 20, 2024, the date he was provisionally suspended. In addition, Dondzila has been disqualified from any competitive results on and after March 1, 2024, the date of his positive test, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
The decision, as well as other arbitral decisions, can be found here.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as 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 file and update athlete Whereabouts, 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, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at playclean@USADA.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.
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.
For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.