Originally posted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Oct 7, 2024 here.
Recognizing the need for rigorous and independent anti-doping protocols, Powerlifting America has achieved a landmark event by partnering with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to provide the anti-doping education, testing, and results management services that will best protect athletes and support the credibility of the sport.
“Powerlifting America came to us soon after the organization was formed with a deep understanding of the need for robust anti-doping protocols to safeguard both athletes and the sport,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We applaud their commitment to safe and fair sport, and we are truly honored to help them realize this vision.”
“By signing the Anti-Doping Agreement with USADA, this is a truly a landmark and historical day for our athletes and the sport of Powerlifting in the United States,” said Powerlifting America President Robert Keller. “Our athletes will now have the best testing possible, which they rightfully deserve.”
Under the current four-year agreement, USADA will conduct in-competition and out-of-competition testing, meaning athletes may be tested with no notice at any time. This no-advance-notice testing without blackout periods is critical to both detecting and deterring doping as part of an effective anti-doping program. Athletes in the Powerlifting America Whereabouts Pool must submit and update their Whereabouts information so they can be located for out-of-competition testing throughout the year. For both in-competition and out-of-competition testing, USADA may collect urine and blood from athletes and employ the most innovative testing and analysis methods to make testing as effective and athlete-friendly as possible.
“I want to say thank you to our friends at USADA for their trust in us: This partnership will ensure we deliver to our athletes the best testing standards and anti-doping education” said Powerlifting America Secretary General Miryam Elm.
Prior to testing, every athlete will also receive customized and engaging anti-doping education. Athletes will receive e-learning tutorials and webinars, as well as in-person education sessions as the program grows, that are designed to help them understand their clean sport responsibilities and uphold anti-doping rules. These education opportunities will be supplemented with ongoing access to USADA’s host of athlete support tools, including Global Drug Reference Online, Supplement Connect, and the toll-free Drug Reference Line.
Athletes who need to use prohibited medications or methods will be able to apply for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) that, if granted, allow them to receive necessary medical treatment without compromising the integrity of competition. TUEs will be processed in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemption (ISTUE) and the USADA Protocol.
Results management will also be conducted by USADA and handled according to the WADA International Standard for Results Management. As always when USADA is the results management authority, any sanctions will be published on the USADA website after conclusion of the results management process.