Michelle Collins is a world-class sprinter. In 2000, she principally competed in the 400 meters, but in 2002, she began to compete more in 200-meter races. On March 15, 2003, she won the world indoor championship in that event. After that race, Collins was injured, and she did not reace again in 2003. In 2004, she ran the 200 meters twiece in May, but she has otherwise not competed.
In this case USADA seeks for the first time to sanction an athlete who has not tested positive in any of her in-competition or out-of-competition drug tests. Thus on the one hand, the case involves issues that have not previously had to be decided by Arbitral Tribunals. On the other hand, the straightforward application of legal principles to essentially undisputed facts leads to a clear resolution of this matter.
USADA seeks a lifetime ban of Michelle Collins for participating in a wide-ranging doping conspiracy implemented by the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO). USADA charges that, for a period of several years, Collins used various performance-enhancing drugs provided by BALCO. Collins has never had a single drug test found to be a positive doping violation, but USADA’s charges are based, in part, on all of the blood and urine tests at IOC-accredited laboratories that she has had in recent years. USADA also relies upon documents seized by the U.S. government from BALCO that have been provided to USADA; statements made by BALCO officials; documents obtained by other law enforcement means; and other documents about Michelle Collins.
For the reasons described in this Award, The Arbitral Tribunal holds that USADA has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Collins was guilty of doping through the use of prohibited substances and techniques for more that a year. This conclusion is bases principally on two sets of documents: emails from Collins in which she admits to using some of the prohibited substances and techniques, and undisputed blood and urine test results that together provide solid evidence of a pattern op doping.
The Arbitral Tribunal finds that USADA has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Collins took EPO, the testosterone / epitestosterone cream, and THG, and that Collins used these substances to enhance her performance and elude the drug testing that was available at the time. The Tribunal further finds that Collins’s use op EPO, testosterone and epitestosterone, and THG were violations of the IAAF’s prohibitions of banned substances and banned techniques, as set forth in IAAF rules.
The North American Court of Arbitration for Sport Panel therefore rules that the following sanctions shall be imposed on Collins:
- The retroactive cancellation of all award or additions to Collins’s trust fund to which Collins would have been entitled by virtue of het appearance and/of performance at any athletics meeting occurring between February 1, 2002 and the date of this Award;
- A period of ineligibility under IAAF Rules for eight years beginning on the date of this Award, including from participating in U.S. Olympic, Pan American or Paralympic Games team and having access to the training facilities of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Training Centers or other programs and activities of the USOC including, but not limited to, grants, awards, or employment pursuant to the USOC Anti-Doping Policies.
The administrative fees and expenses of the American Arbitration Association and the compensation and expenses of the arbitrators shall by borne entirely by USADA.
