USADA steps up training for Beijing-bound athletes

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As athletes pack their bags for the Beijing Games, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is stepping up educational efforts to ensure that they’re familiar with IOC rules that govern the Games.
Special care is being taken to remind athletes who use prescribed medications. That’s been an issue of late because some drugs appear on the IOC’s banned-substance list.
Gymnast Morgan Hamm took an anti-inflammatory shot prescribed by his doctor but failed to file the proper paperwork. USA Gymnastics cleared Hamm to compete in Beijing but must wait until Saturday for confirmation from the International Gymnastics Federation.

Basketball player Rebekkah Brunson and heptathlete Ryanne Dupree both failed to file for exemptions required for their prescribed asthma medication.

‘In our mind, we’ve done everything possible to make sure athletes don’t make technical mistakes,’ USADA CEO Travis Tygart told the Associated Press. “Hopefully, they’re all on notice, and hopefully they’ll comply.”

USADA’s training program has included web-based seminars on doping rules. Tygart has also contacted individual athletes to explain rules and answer questions.

-- Greg Johnson