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US Sprinter Mike Rodgers Caught Positive for a Stimulant, Out of World Championships
The country may lose another top athlete in the coming Olympics after the former US 100m champion Mike Rodgers was given provisional suspension by the USADA. This in connection with his violation of the anti-doping rules but Rodgers clarified that he was not caught using steroids. He will also miss the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Sprinter Mike Rodgers is ranking fourth in the US time trial last June and is set to compete in the World Championships in South Korea on August 27 to September 4. He is supposed to run in the 100m and 4?100m relay.
Reason for Suspension
Rodgers tested for a banned substance during a training camp in Lignano, Italy last month. Anti-doping authorities found in his system a banned stimulant methylhexaneamine. The substance is common in energy drinks which is also the reason given by Rodgers.
According to his agent Tony Campbell, the sprinter mistakenly drank an energy drink which contains the banned substance. ?I don?t want anyone to think Mike is a druggie. It was a stimulant. It was not steroids or anything of that nature,? Campbell told the media. ?He went to a club with some friends in Italy and he thought he was drinking a Red Bull but he got one of those energy drinks that had a stimulant in it,? he added.
Rodgers Can?t Compete
USADA spokesperson Annie Skinner told the AFP that Rodgers can?t participate in any competition until the case is resolved. The result of his B sample has yet to be released. ?We will continue to examine the facts of the case as we move forward,? Skinner said. Though Rodgers accepted the decision of USADA, his lawyer will cooperate with USADA in determining what really caused the positive test.
Rodgers Voluntarily Accepts Provisional Suspension
The US Track and Field (USATF) is happy that Rodgers voluntarily accepts the suspension. ?We are glad Michael has chosen to accept this provisional suspension, which will lessen the amount of disruption to his teammates as they prepare for the World Championships,? Chief Executive Mike McNees said in a statement.
According to USADA, Rodgers claimed that he did not intentionally ingest the banned substance. The track and field athlete decided to withdraw from the World Championships out of fairness and to avoid any distraction to other athletes.
The B sample result and other information that will be gathered by the anti-doping agency will determine the final sanction on Rodgers. Stimulants, like steroids, are considered performance enhancing drugs. Though the substance can be found in some energy drinks, other products can be purchased as supplements intended to improve performance in sports.
Several Athletes Already Caught with the Same Stimulant
MSN reported that a lot of athletes were already caught with methylhexaneamine. The International Tennis Federation suspended American tennis pro Robert Kendrick last July after he tested positive for the same stimulant at the French Open. Two rugby players from South Africa also tested for methylhexaneamine. In India, at least 12 athletes were caught before the start of Commonwealth Games last year.
Rodgers Replaced by Kimmons
Mike Rodgers will be replaced by Trell Kimmons in 100 meter event. Kimmons is a member of the US 4?100m relay team. He has a personal-best time of 9.95 seconds in the 100m.
The country may lose another top athlete in the coming Olympics after the former US 100m champion Mike Rodgers was given provisional suspension by the USADA. This in connection with his violation of the anti-doping rules but Rodgers clarified that he was not caught using steroids. He will also miss the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Sprinter Mike Rodgers is ranking fourth in the US time trial last June and is set to compete in the World Championships in South Korea on August 27 to September 4. He is supposed to run in the 100m and 4?100m relay.
Reason for Suspension
Rodgers tested for a banned substance during a training camp in Lignano, Italy last month. Anti-doping authorities found in his system a banned stimulant methylhexaneamine. The substance is common in energy drinks which is also the reason given by Rodgers.
According to his agent Tony Campbell, the sprinter mistakenly drank an energy drink which contains the banned substance. ?I don?t want anyone to think Mike is a druggie. It was a stimulant. It was not steroids or anything of that nature,? Campbell told the media. ?He went to a club with some friends in Italy and he thought he was drinking a Red Bull but he got one of those energy drinks that had a stimulant in it,? he added.
Rodgers Can?t Compete
USADA spokesperson Annie Skinner told the AFP that Rodgers can?t participate in any competition until the case is resolved. The result of his B sample has yet to be released. ?We will continue to examine the facts of the case as we move forward,? Skinner said. Though Rodgers accepted the decision of USADA, his lawyer will cooperate with USADA in determining what really caused the positive test.
Rodgers Voluntarily Accepts Provisional Suspension
The US Track and Field (USATF) is happy that Rodgers voluntarily accepts the suspension. ?We are glad Michael has chosen to accept this provisional suspension, which will lessen the amount of disruption to his teammates as they prepare for the World Championships,? Chief Executive Mike McNees said in a statement.
According to USADA, Rodgers claimed that he did not intentionally ingest the banned substance. The track and field athlete decided to withdraw from the World Championships out of fairness and to avoid any distraction to other athletes.
The B sample result and other information that will be gathered by the anti-doping agency will determine the final sanction on Rodgers. Stimulants, like steroids, are considered performance enhancing drugs. Though the substance can be found in some energy drinks, other products can be purchased as supplements intended to improve performance in sports.
Several Athletes Already Caught with the Same Stimulant
MSN reported that a lot of athletes were already caught with methylhexaneamine. The International Tennis Federation suspended American tennis pro Robert Kendrick last July after he tested positive for the same stimulant at the French Open. Two rugby players from South Africa also tested for methylhexaneamine. In India, at least 12 athletes were caught before the start of Commonwealth Games last year.
Rodgers Replaced by Kimmons
Mike Rodgers will be replaced by Trell Kimmons in 100 meter event. Kimmons is a member of the US 4?100m relay team. He has a personal-best time of 9.95 seconds in the 100m.