PRESS RELEASE – USADA Announcement: Sbeih suspended for two years
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Thursday that AdhamSbeih, a cyclist from Sacramento, Calif., was suspended for two years aftertesting positive for recombinant human Erythropoietin (rEPO). Itis the first suspension of an athlete in the United States for an rEPOpositive.The suspension followed a hearing before a three-member panel of theAmerican Arbitration Association (AAA)/North American Court of Arbitrationfor Sport (CAS), which concluded in part that “The methodology utilizedby the UCLA Lab for testing rEPO is scientifically sound and the resultsproduced by the tests
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
By U.S. Anti-Doping Agency News release
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Thursday that AdhamSbeih, a cyclist from Sacramento, Calif., was suspended for two years aftertesting positive for recombinant human Erythropoietin (rEPO). Itis the first suspension of an athlete in the United States for an rEPOpositive.The suspension followed a hearing before a three-member panel of theAmerican Arbitration Association (AAA)/North American Court of Arbitrationfor Sport (CAS), which concluded in part that “The methodology utilizedby the UCLA Lab for testing rEPO is scientifically sound and the resultsproduced by the tests are reliable.””This decision should reassure all clean athletes that USADA and scienceare on their side, and that we are making significant strides through researchand the application of science to eliminate drug use from sport,” saidTerry Madden, USADA’s Chief Executive Officer.Sbeih, 30, was the 2003 national champion in the 4,000-meter individualpursuit. He tested positive for rEPO at the U.S. Cycling FederationElite Track Nationals in Trexlertown, Pa. on Aug. 26, 2003. rEPOis a synthetic hormone that stimulates the body’s production of red bloodcells thereby increasing oxygen transport and aerobic power. TheUnion Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international federation for thesport of cycling, prohibits rEPO at all times.Sbeih was suspended for two years from all sanctioned competition beginningon Aug. 26, 2003, the date of the test, and all of his competitive resultswere disqualified from that date including his first-place finishes inthe individual pursuit and team pursuit at the 2003 USCF Elite Track NationalChampionships.USA Cycling, the national governing body for the sport in the UnitedStates, will carry out the sanction.This is the eighth announcement issued by USADA in 2004. USADA becamethe independent anti-doping agency for U.S. athletes in the Olympic movementin October 2000.USADA is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication processfor U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes. USADA is equally dedicatedto preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educationalprograms.The full text of the Sbeih decision is posted on USADA’sweb site.
Care to comment? Send a letter to WebLetters@7Dogs.com.Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited forlength and clarity.