USADA announced today that Marvin Bracy-Williams, 31, of Clermont, Fla., an athlete in the sport of track and field, with consideration of his substantial assistance, has accepted a 45-month sanction for his anti-doping rule violations.
After receiving credible information from a whistleblower in early 2024, USADA immediately opened an investigation which included collecting a targeted out-of-competition urine sample from Bracy-Williams. As a result of that test, Bracy-Williams tested positive for an anabolic agent and was immediately provisionally suspended by USADA on February 5, 2024.
“It is critical that those in sport trust anti-doping authorities to have their back and to act on information to protect the integrity of sport and the rights of clean athletes as was done in this case,” said Travis T. Tygart, USADA CEO.
During the investigation—which USADA conducted with Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Orlando District Office, Miami Field Division—it was discovered that Bracy-Williams had initially attempted to tamper with the investigation. Soon after his attempted tampering, Bracy-Williams admitted his violations and provided substantial assistance. The positive test and attempted tampering are treated as a single violation under the World Anti-Doping Code because the tampering occurred in connection with Bracy-Williams’ use of testosterone.
“This case is also an example of the importance of cooperation between like-minded-organizations and law enforcement agencies when it comes to eradicating organized doping schemes,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “When the rules are applied as they should be, we can hold people accountable while also pursuing additional anti-doping rule violations and criminal charges. This investigation has already resulted in several impactful outcomes which will be announced at a later date, as the overall investigation continues.” said Tygart.
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, like Bracy-Williams did, 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, Bracy-Williams qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility.
In addition to the one-year reduction for his admission of his violations, USADA granted Bracy-Williams a significant reduction of his sanction for providing important substantial assistance to the investigation. This resulted in a 21-month period of ineligibility for Bracy-Williams’s violations for his testosterone use and for his attempted tampering.
While the investigation was pending, Bracy-Williams committed a further anti-doping rule violation by accruing his third Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period while included in USADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP). The Whereabouts Failures occurred on August 10, 2023, October 4, 2023, and June 4, 2024. The period of ineligibility for a Whereabouts rule violation is 12-24 months but is subject to an increased range in this case because it constitutes Bracy-Williams’s second violation. USADA determined that a 24-month period of ineligibility for the Whereabouts rule violation was appropriate based on the circumstances of the case.
The additional 24-month sanction was added to Bracy-Williams’s 21-month sanction, which resulted in a total sanction of 45 months. The 45-month sanction began on February 5, 2024, the date he was provisionally suspended. In addition, Bracy-Williams has been disqualified from any competitive results on and after June 1, 2023, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
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.
For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.
