USADA announced today that Sean FitzSimons, 24, of Hood River, Ore., an athlete in the sport of snowboarding, has accepted a three-month sanction for using a prohibited method.
“While it’s critical that athlete support personnel understand anti-doping rules and contact USADA when in doubt, it’s also important for athletes to do their own due diligence and utilize the many resources at their disposal to ensure they are following the rules and protecting their careers,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “These kinds of situations can be avoided by utilizing the many available tools, including Global DRO or our Drug Reference Line.”
FitzSimons received a saline and vitamin infusion on February 9, 2025 in an effort to self-treat flu-like symptoms. Intravenous infusions and/or injections greater than 100 mL per 12-hour period are classified as Specified Methods 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 Ski & Snowboard Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. Although no prohibited substances were administered, the treatment constituted a violation because it was over the permitted volume threshold of 100 mL in a 12-hour period and was not received during a hospital treatment, surgical procedure, or clinical diagnostic investigation. FitzSimons did not qualify for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) under the criteria in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).
Before receiving the infusion, FitzSimons consulted with a trainer and medical professional at U.S. Ski & Snowboard about the appropriateness of intravenous infusions but was misadvised that he was permitted to proceed with the treatment. After receiving the treatment, FitzSimons discovered that he had committed a violation and promptly self-reported his violation to USADA two days later. FitzSimons qualified for a decreased sanction under Article 10.7.2 of the Code, which allows for such a reduction when an athlete admits to an anti-doping rule violation in the absence of any other evidence.
FitzSimons’s three-month period of ineligibility began on May 1, 2025, the date he accepted a provisional suspension. Because FitzSimons’s violation occurred out of competition, there are no competitive results to disqualify. Athletes are reminded that while consulting the appropriate medical professionals before taking any substances or methods is an important first step, athletes themselves are strictly liable for all substances and methods they use and are encouraged to reach out to USADA directly.
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 (www.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.