USADA announced today that Nicolas Recio, of Corpus Christi, Texas, an athlete in the sport of powerlifting, has received a four-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.
Recio, 29, tested positive for an anabolic agent as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected at the 2025 Powerlifting America Bench Press National Championships on February 16, 2025. USADA was contracted by event organizers to conduct testing and results management for the event and collected and analyzed Recio’s sample in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s International Standards.
Recio’s urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin. The IRMS analysis results were consistent with the exogenous origin of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its metabolites.
All AAS are non–Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and are 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 Powerlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Recio’s four-year period of ineligibility began on April 15, 2025, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Recio has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to February 16, 2025, the date of his positive test, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents, coaches, and medical professionals 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.