USADA announced today that Graham Aldredge, of Flagstaff, Ariz., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has acknowledged committing an anti-doping rule violation and has accepted his sanction.
Aldredge, 22, failed to appear to provide a sample at the BMC Racing Cup (Gränichen), on June 17, 2012, in, Gränichen Switzerland. Failure to appear is a violation of the applicable rules under the USADA Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing and the International Cycling Union (UCI) Anti-Doping Rules, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Aldredge accepted a sanction resulting in a 16-month period of ineligibility, beginning on June 17, 2012, the date he failed to appear and provide a sample. Aldredge informed USADA that after withdrawing from the race due to illness, he failed to do his due diligence in determining whether he had been selected to provide a sample for anti-doping testing. As a result of the sanction, Aldredge is also disqualified from all results obtained during any competition in which he competed in beginning on June 17, 2012, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all 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 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, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.
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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