The ITU Anti-doping team would like to share a media release from the United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) announcing that Mark Fretta (USA) has been sanctioned for an anti-doping rule violation. According to the USADA media release from November 9, 2012, “USADA announced today that Mark Fretta, of Colorado Springs, Colo., an athlete in the sport of triathlon, has committed an anti-doping rule violation and received a sanction for his doping offense.”

Fretta, 35, received a four-year period of ineligibility after variations in his individual longitudinal blood profile as well as other documentary evidence indicated the use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents such as Erythropoietin (“EPO”). Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents are prohibited in the class of Peptide Hormones which are banned under both the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Triathlon Union Anti-Doping Rules. Both USADA and ITU have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) Prohibited List.

USADA conducts longitudinal blood data collection and comprehensive scientific review to identify changes in biological parameters that may be indicative of doping. The program consists of collecting athlete samples to measure an athlete’s unique biological parameters, including, but not limited to, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and percentage reticulocytes, over time to establish an individual longitudinal blood profile. Variations and fluctuations in these measurements when compared to an athlete’s own established longitudinal blood profile can be indicative of prohibited, performance-enhancing drug use, and can result in an anti-doping rule violation under the Code.

Fretta’s four-year period of ineligibility began on June 11, 2012, the date he accepted a provisional suspension. As a result of the violation, Fretta has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to August 18, 2010, the date USADA collected the first blood sample that was included in Fretta’s individual longitudinal blood profile.

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 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.”

ITU has disqualified Mark Fretta from all of the ITU races that he competed in since August 18, 2010. ITU has an information sharing agreement with USADA so results of their tests can be used by either USADA or ITU.