US Track & Field Athlete, Dunn, Accepts Sanction for Doping Violation

September 11, 2012 – USADA announced today that Debbie Dunn, of Norfolk, Va., an athlete in the sport of track & field, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a two-year suspension for her doping offense.

Laboratory analysis of a sample provided by Dunn at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, on June 24, 2012, in Eugene, Ore., resulted in an Adverse Analytical Finding for an anabolic agent. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Anti-Doping Rules, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.

Dunn, 34, accepted a two-year period of ineligibility, which began on August 1, 2012, the date she accepted a provisional suspension. As a result of the sanction, Dunn has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to June 22, 2012, the date the U.S. Olympic Team Trials began, 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.

http://www.usada.org/media/sanction-dunn91112