USADA announced today that Cesar Marte, of Fort Lee, N.J., an athlete in the sport of cycling, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a two-year suspension for his doping offense.
Marte, 21, provided a urine sample on July 21, 2013, during an in-competition test, at the CRCA Lou Maltese Memorial in New York, N.Y., that resulted in an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited stimulant Modafinil. Modafinil is prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Cycling Union (UCI) anti-doping rules, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Marte’s two-year period of ineligibility began on August 26, 2013, the date he accepted a provisional suspension. As a result of the violation, Marte has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to July 21, 2013, the date the sample was collected, 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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