US Track & Field Athlete, Freeman, Accepts Sanction for Doping Violation

Colorado Springs, Colo. (May, 26 2011) -- USADA announced today that Thomas Jacob Freeman of Westbury, N.Y., an athlete in the sport of track & field, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a suspension for his doping offense.

Freeman, 31, tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol acid, a marijuana metabolite in the class of Cannabinoids, in a sample collected on February 26, 2011 at the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque, N.M. Cannabinoids are listed as Specified Substances and are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic 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 WADA Prohibited List.

Freeman accepted a one year period of ineligibility, which began on April 29, 2011, the day he accepted a provisional suspension. This is Freeman’s second doping violation, having previously tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol acid in 2009. As a result of this violation, Freeman has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to February 26, 2011, the date of his positive test, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

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.

For more information, contact:askinner@usada.org

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Your complete source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.