Bobsled Athlete Quentin Willey Accepts Three-Year Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Quentin Willey, of Lubbock, Texas, an athlete in the sport of bobsled, has accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.

Willey, 31, tested positive for boldenone and its metabolite, 5β-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one, as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample collected on December 7, 2022. His urine sample was analyzed using a specialized confirmation test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin—in this case, boldenone and/or its metabolites.

All AAS are Non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Willey qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility.

Willey’s three-year period of ineligibility began on January 6, 2023, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Willey has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to May 1, 2022, the date he first used the prohibited substance that was found in his sample, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

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 file and update athlete Whereabouts, 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), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.

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.

Tuesday, 18 April 2023