USADA announced today that Nelson Trujillo, of Hialeah, Fla., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has accepted a 12-year suspension for his first and second anti-doping rule violations.
“All athletes deserve a level playing field so that their hard work and talent are rewarded,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “Strategic testing helps to both deter doping and hold accountable those who intentionally violate the rules and the rights of clean athletes by using powerful performance-enhancing substances.”
Trujillo, 50, submitted a urine sample in competition on February 5, 2022 during the Tour of South Florida, that was reported atypical for recombinant erythropoietin (EPO), a prohibited blood doping drug. USADA followed up on the atypical result, as required under the rules, by attempting to collect urine and blood samples from Trujillo out of competition with a no advance notice test on May 2, 2022. Trujillo, however, refused to provide a blood sample as requested by a USADA, at which time he refused for a second time. Evading sample collection or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification is an anti-doping rule violation under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the International Cycling Union Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under the Code, all athletes serving a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation are required to continue to make themselves available for testing to receive credit for time completed under their sanction. If an athlete retires during their period of ineligibility, the athlete’s sanction will be tolled until the athlete returns from retirement. Trujillo’s 12-year period of ineligibility took effect on August 23, 2022, the date he accepted his sanction, but his period of ineligibility will continue to be tolled until he returns from retirement.
Additionally, Trujillo has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to May 2, 2022, the date he first refused to provide a blood sample, 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.
For more information or media inquiries, click here.