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March 1, 2012

USADA announced today that Michael Rodgers of Hutto, Texas, an athlete in the sport of Track & Field, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a suspension for his doping offense.

Rodgers, 26, tested positive for methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine), a stimulant, as a result of an in-competition urine sample collected at the Sport e Solidarieta event on July 19, 2011, in Lignano, Italy. Stimulants are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic 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 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. 

Rodgers accepted a 9-month period of ineligibility, beginning on July 19, 2011 the day his urine sample was collected. As a result of the sanction, Rodgers is also disqualified from any and all results obtained on and subsequent to July 19, 2011, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

Rodgers originally requested a hearing in front of independent American Arbitration Association (AAA) panel, at which he provided inaccurate and misleading testimony. However, before the false testimony was acted upon by the arbitration panel, Rodgers came forward, acknowledged the truth to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, recognized his responsibility and agreed to accept his sanction and to pay the full cost of the arbitration hearing. 

Rodgers provided independent corroborating evidence that his positive drug test resulted from the use of the supplement known as Jack3d several days prior to a competition. Jack3d has been implicated in positive tests involving several athletes and lists 1,3-Dimethylamylamine HCl on its label.  

USADA issued an athlete advisory on June 16, 2011 to make athletes aware of the concerns regarding methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine).  Athletes subject to the WADA Prohibited List should avoid supplements that reference methylhexaneamine, dimethylpentylamine, 1,3-Dimethylamylamine HCl, dimethylamylamine, geranium, geranamine, or geranium stems or which purport to come from geranium oil or any constituents of a geranium plant.  USADA’s advisory can be found on the USADA website athttp://www.usada.org/media/methylhexaneamine-and-dietary-supplements.

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.

CONTACT:
USADA Media Relations 
Phone: (719) 785-2000
E-mail:  [email protected]