U.S. Weightlifting Athlete Ryan Hudson Accepts Sanction for Second Anti-Doping Rule Violation
Press Release
21st December 2018
USADA announced today that Ryan Hudson, of Sisters, Oregon, an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a four-year sanction for his second anti-doping rule violation.
Hudson, 39, tested positive for a long-term metabolite (4α‐chloro‐18‐nor‐17β‐hydroxymethyl-17α‐methyl‐5α-androst‐13‐en‐3α‐ol; DHCMT M3) of dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample he provided on June 14, 2017. DHCMT is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.
Following an investigation into the circumstances of the case, USADA determined that a reduction to the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility for a second violation was appropriate due to the low DHCMT M3 concentration in the athlete’s sample and the length of time low levels of DHCMT metabolites may persist in the body and remain detectable in urine, making it difficult to identify the source of the positive test result in the event of a low concentration of DHCMT metabolites in an athlete’s sample. As a result of this combination of factors, which has increased the difficulty of ascertaining the source of his positive test result, USADA found that the athlete’s degree of fault for his positive test was diminished.
Hudson’s four-year period of ineligibility began on June 14, 2017, the date his positive sample was collected. In addition, Hudson has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on and subsequent to June 14, 2017, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Under the Code, all athletes serving a period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation are required to continue to make themselves available for testing in order to receive credit for time completed under their sanction. If an athlete retires during their period of ineligibility, the athlete’s sanction will be tolled until the athlete returns from retirement and once again becomes available for no-advance-notice, out-of-competition testing. In this case, Hudson retired on March 7, 2018, and he received no credit toward his period of ineligibility from then until November 27, 2018, when he returned from retirement.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as 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, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com <https://www.GlobalDRO.com>), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as an easy-reference wallet card with examples of prohibited and permitted substances, a supplement guide <https://mailchi.mp/22b7a708984d/truesport-supplement-guide>, an athlete handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
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