Posted: July 29, 2006

Drugs in Sport: U.S. Track Athlete Accepts Two-Year Suspension For Rules Violation

The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced today that Serene Ross of Louisville, Kentucky, an athlete in the sport of track and field, accepted a two-year suspension. Ross, 28, who was not competing but had not formally retired as required by the United States Olympic Committee Anti- Doping Policies, tested positive for the diuretics hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene during an Out-of- Competition test conducted on November 22, 2005. Ross subsequently filed formal retirement papers. Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene are listed as prohibited substances in the class of diuretics and other masking agents under the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations and USADA, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. Ross’ two-year suspension begins on July 27, 2006. As a result of the violation, she forfeits any competitive results achieved and winnings earned since November 22, 2005, the date of the test. USA Track & Field, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, will carry out the sanction. USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

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