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U.S. Track & Field Athlete Demi Payne Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Demi Payne, of Nacogdoches, Texas, an athlete in the sport of track and field, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a four-year sanction for her violation.

Payne, 26, tested positive for drostanolone and its metabolite, 2α-methyl-5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one, as the result of an in-competition urine sample she provided on March 12, 2016, at the USA Track and Field Indoor Championship. Drostanolone is a non-Specified Substance in the class of anabolic agents and prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Association of Athletics Federations Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

During USADA’s investigation into the circumstances of Payne’s positive test, an anonymous email was sent to USADA claiming that drinks at the event at which the athlete tested positive were contaminated. Ultimately, after a lengthy and thorough investigation into the email, USADA was able to determine this was not the case.

Payne’s four-year period of ineligibility began on March 31, 2016, the date her provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Payne has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on and subsequent to March 12, 2016, the date her positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

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 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 proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.

Along with education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from tips and whistleblowers. 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 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.


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