In March 2017 the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has reported anti-doping rule violations against the American cyclist Jenna Blandford for the possession, use and attempted use of testosterone, human growth hormone and onxandrolone.
The Athlete's ex-boyfriend, Jeff Miller, who was also a USA Cycling member and the her coach from 2012 through 2014, reported to USADA in November 2016 that both he and the Athlete had used prohibited performance enhancing substances.
Miller admitted that he used prohibited substances from early 2015 through 2016, starting with testosterone, which he obtained at a local pharmacy, and moving on to human growth hormone (HGH) and oxandrolone. Based on his admissions Miller signed a four year sanction agreement as well as a cooperation agreement with USADA.
Miller provided USADA digital evidence (text messages) and the following physical evidence:
- a.) Five used syringes in an unsealed bag.
- b.) Two possibly used syringes in an unsealed bag.
- c.) Two opened vials of Soma Max-10 with human growth hormone.
- d.) One opened vial of Soma Max-10 with human growth hormone.
- e.) One sealed vial of Som2 Max- 10 with white powder that human growth hormone.
- f.) One opened bottle of Bacteriostatic water.
- g.) One opened bottle of Biotech Pharmaclinico Oxavar containing Oxandrolone.
- h.) Numerous receipts reflecting his purchases of prohibited substances.
After notification the Athlete denied using any prohibited substances, she failed to file a statement in her defence and was heard for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Commercial Arbitration Tribunal.
The Arbitrator did not find the Athlete's former boyfriend, Jeff Miller, to be credible. Standing alone, Miller's testimony would certainly be inadequate to comfortably satisfy the Arbitrator. It is the opinion of the Arbitrator that Miller reported Respondent out of spite three days after she left him. Notwithstanding, Miller did provide corroborating evidence to support his claims. Further the Athlete’s own texts are strong confirmations, if not admissions, that she violated the anti-doping rules.
The culmination of all the evidence was more than adequate to comfortably satisfy the Arbitrator and establish that an anti-doping rule violation occurred, bearing in mind the seriousness of the allegation which was made and although the Athlete has strongly challenged the credibility of Miller. The Athlete did appear and testify at the hearing, she declined to allow her phone to be examined to validate or refute her defence that she did not send the subject texts; and she declined to provide a DNA sample for comparison to the syringes produced by Miller.
Therefore the AAA Tribunal decides on 20 November 2017 that:
a.) The Athlete has committed an anti-doping rule violation under the ADR UCI 2.1, 2.2, and 2.6 and the WADA Code;
b.) The following sanction shall be imposed on the Athlete:
- 1.) A forty-eight (48) month, or four year, period of Ineligibility commencing November 20, 2017, as described in the UCI Anti-Doping Rules and the WADA Code;
- 2.) Disqualification of the competitive results obtained on and subsequent to September 1, 2015, the approximate date the Athlete began using prohibited substances, as well as forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes earned during that period;
c.) The parties shall bear their own attorneys' fees and costs associated with this arbitration;
d.) The administrative fees of the American Arbitration Association, and the compensation and expenses of the Arbitrator shall be borne by USADA and the United States Olympic Committee;
e.) This Award shall be in full and final resolution of all claims submitted to this Arbitration. All claims not expressly granted herein are hereby denied.
