USADA announced today that Steven Cantwell of Dillon, Colo., an athlete in the sport of para-snowboarding, has received a six-year period of ineligibility for multiple anti-doping rule violations.
Cantwell, 36, tested positive for 4α-chloro-17ß-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-18-nor-5α-androstan-13-en-3α-ol (DHCMT M3), a long-term metabolite of dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT) and other prohibited anabolic agents with similar chemical structures, as a result of a sample collected out-of-competition on November 9, 2025. During USADA’s investigation, Cantwell also admitted to using testosterone in 2022 and 2023 at the direction of a physician, although he lacked a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Under the USADA TUE Policy, an athlete has the responsibility to demonstrate that the therapeutic need to treat an acute or chronic medical condition satisfies the strict criteria within the World Anti-Doping Agency International Standard for TUEs (ISTUE).
DHCMT and similar anabolic agents, testosterone, and their metabolites are Prohibited Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents 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 Policy, and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Anti‐Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under the Code, the positive test and the admitted testosterone use are treated as a single violation because Cantwell had not been notified of the violation for his testosterone use at the time of his positive test. Because the testosterone use occurred 12 months or more before the positive test for DHCMT M3, the period of ineligibility is calculated as though the testosterone use were a separate first violation, and that sanction is served consecutively with the one imposed for the positive test.
Cantwell’s six-year period of ineligibility began on December 2, 2025, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Cantwell has been disqualified from any competitive results on and after October 17, 2022, the date he began using testosterone, 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.
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