USADA announced today that Arika Skoog, of Boston, Mass., an athlete in the sport of boxing, has accepted a one-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.
Skoog, 29, tested positive for furosemide as the result of out-of-competition urine samples collected on May 23, 2022, and July 14, 2022. In accordance with the rules, Skoog’s two positive test results were considered a single violation and not multiple violations because she had not yet been notified of the first positive test at the time she submitted her second sample on July 14, 2022. Furosemide is a Specified Substance in the class of Diuretics and Masking Agents and is 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 Boxing Association Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. She did not have or apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which is required in order to authorize the use of a prohibited substance in sport.
Skoog’s violation resulted from her limited use of a family member’s prescription furosemide medication to self-treat acute symptoms she experienced due to a temporary medical condition. After an investigation, USADA determined that a reduction was appropriate due to Skoog’s reduced degree of fault owing in part to her physical distress at the time she took the prohibited medication and her relative lack of experience as well as her intention to use the medication to relieve symptoms from an acute medical competition unrelated to competition.
Skoog’s one-year period of ineligibility began on July 15, 2022, the date her provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Skoog has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to May 23, 2022, the date her first 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 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.
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