SNOWBOARDER BANNED FOR LIFE

8 April 2003


U.S. Snowboarder Gets Lifetime Drug Suspension
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) officials said Wednesday they supported the decision of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which issued a lifetime suspension of snowboard athlete Chad Otterstrom for a second doping violation.

"It's always difficult for us to see any athlete receive a sanction for a doping violation - it's unfortunate for both the sport and the athlete with both potentially being impacted by the violation," said USSA's Vice President of Athletics Alan Ashley. "But as an athletic organization we strongly support anti-doping measures worldwide in our sports and we recognize and support the process USADA has implemented in reaching its decision."

Olympic standard testing
USADA is responsible for testing and adjudication based on the International Ski Federation's (FIS) rules for the sport. USSA, as the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding, is responsible for enforcing the sanctions issued by USADA.

According to an announcement Wednesday by USADA, Otterstrom, who was the winner in men's halfpipe at the Jan. 11 Chevy Truck U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix, tested positive for methylphenidate (Ritalin), a banned substance. It was his second doping violation. He had tested positive for methylphenidate at the same event in 2000 and received a 90-day sanction from the International Ski Federation, which, at the time, was responsible for international adjudication. As a result of the recent offense, USADA issued a lifetime suspension as stipulated in the international doping rules.

Grand Prix results adjusted
USSA indicated that as a result of USADA's suspension, Otterstrom will be removed from the results of the event and any subsequent USSA/FIS sanctioned event in which he took part. The results of the Grand Prix will be adjusted, as will the series standings. The official winner of the event will now be Elijah Teter, who had been second.

[Source: Ski Press Magazine]

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