USADA announced today that Jaron Flournoy, of Inkster, Mich., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a three-year suspension for his possession of a prohibited substance while a member of USA Track & Field.
In addition to education and testing, robust anti-doping programs enable investigations stemming from various sources, including positive tests, tips (Play Clean Tip Line), and whistleblowers. This type of information, specifically information stemming from the positive test of another athlete, led USADA to discover that Flournoy purchased ostarine online, and the ostarine was delivered in December 2022. Although Flourney also used the prohibited substance, his use occurred after his membership with USA Track & Field expired, at which time he was not subject to the anti-doping rules.
Ostarine is classified by WADA as a Non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents. It 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 Policy, and the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.
Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Flournoy qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility as he admitted and accepted the sanction within the time allowed.
Flournoy’s three-year period of ineligibility began on February 14, 2024, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Flournoy has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to December 1, 2022, the approximate date he obtained ostarine, 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 (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.