USADA announced today that a three-member panel of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rendered a decision in an appeal in the case of para cycling athlete Aaron Keith, of Woodinville, Wash. and determined via consent award that Keith should receive a 14-month sanction. This resolution comes after USADA appealed the first instance arbitrator’s four-month sanction length determination set forth in an operative award last year. Like all cases, WADA and the International Federation both had the opportunity to participate in the appeal, although neither did.
Keith, 54, tested positive for an anabolic agent of exogenous origin during out-of-competition tests on January 17, 2024 and February 29, 2024. Anabolic agents are non–Specified Substances 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 Cycling Union Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
On the first day of the appeal hearing and at the prompting of the arbitrators, USADA and Keith reached an agreement on a 14-month period of ineligibility based on the unique circumstances of the case, which the CAS panel adopted in a consent award. The CAS award sets aside the first instance arbitrator’s decision of a four-month period of ineligibility. Keith will receive credit for the period of ineligibility he served between April 19, 2024 and August 19, 2024 toward his 14-month sanction. Keith’s competitive results between January 17, 2024—the date his first positive sample was collected—and April 19, 2024—the date he was provisionally suspended—will remain disqualified.
The CAS award, 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, 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.
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