The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Thursday that Kirk O’Bee of Ada, Mich., an athlete in the sport of cycling, tested positive for an elevated testosterone-epitestosterone ratio at the 2001 USPRO Championships in Philadelphia on June 10, 2001.
Testosterone and related compounds are prohibited anabolic steroids under the under the rules of the Union Cycliste International (UCI), the international federation for cycling.
Mr. O’Bee, 25, was suspended for one year from competition, beginning on July 15, 2002, which is the maximum suspension in accordance with the applicable UCI rules. O’Bee was also fined 2,000 Swiss Francs pursuant to the UCI rules.
In addition, O’Bee results at the 2001 USPRO Championships will be disqualified.
Mr. O’Bee believes that “his positive drug test resulted from a special training regimen recommended by his coach, which involved dietary supplements and exercise.”
In the event that an athlete’s testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio is greater than the 6:1 limit, the rules of sport require that a further study be conducted to determine whether the individual has a naturally elevated T/E ratio. This study may require additional collection of samples and testing over a period of several months.
O’Bee believes that “my positive drug test resulted from a special training regimen recommended by his coach, which involved dietary supplements and exercise.”
This is the 18th announcement issued by USADA in 2002. USADA became the independent anti-doping agency for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes on Oct. 2, 2000.
USADA is the independent anti-doping agency for Olympic sports in the United States, and is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication process for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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