Buckeye Beat – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 15, 2000
In this Olympic year, an alarming number of athletes tested positive for using banned substances in the hope of augmenting their performance. Not surprisingly, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is not limited to high profile athletes and their attempts to win a gold medal. In fact, the issue of performance-enhancing drugs in sports has prompted a request from the federal government for a closer alignment between the International Olympic Committee and the NCAA regarding banned-drug lists and penalties. The following is a brief list of questions and answers regarding the drug-testing policies instituted by the NCAA.
Q. As a result of the prolific use of banned substances during the Olympics, were there any significant changes to the NCAA drug-testing guidelines?
A. Yes, the student-athlete statement now requires a student-athlete to disclose any previous positive drug-test results. Once a positive test is disclosed, the NCAA shall require the student-athlete to submit to an NCAA administered drug test. If the student-athlete is found to have tested positive for a substance on the NCAA list of banned drugs the student-athlete shall be declared ineligible for further competition for one calendar year after the student-athlete’s positive drug test. The student-athlete remains ineligible until he or she retests negative.
Q. Has the availability and use of dietary supplements such as creatine been modified or changed as a result of new NCAA regulations?
A. Yes, the NCAA has eliminated the opportunity for institutions to distribute or provide any ergogenic (muscle-building or performance enhancing) supplements, including creatine to student-athletes. The NCAA position on such dietary supplements is one of caution. The FDA does not regulate these substances and, although legally bound to disclose all ingredients, frequently they contain substances that are not listed on the labels. Some of these supplements may contain NCAA banned substances. Ingesting them can result in a positive test with a penalty of a loss of one year of eligibility. The NCAA has generally not accepted appeals based on lack of knowledge about the substances that may be contained in these dietary supplements.
Q. Since an institution may not provide muscle-building supplements to student-athletes, may an institution sell or arrange for the sale of such products to student-athletes?
A. No, even if the sale were to occur at the going market rate, an institution may not sell or arrange for the sale of muscle-building supplements for their student-athletes.
Q. How can a student-athlete find out whether a medication or supplement is banned?
A. Student-athletes should ask their athletic trainer or team physician about any medication or supplement products they plan to take to determine if it is banned. If the athletic trainers or physician are unsure whether a substance is banned, they should contact The National Center for Drug-Free Sport at www.drugfreesport.com.
Q. What drugs will the NCAA test for at NCAA championship events?
A. The NCAA testing involves urinalysis for these banned-drug classes: stimulants (i.e., cocaine and amphetamines), anabolic agents (steroids), street drugs (heroin and marijuana), peptide hormones and urine manipulators.
Q. When is drug testing conducted at the championship?
A. Drug testing can occur at any phase of an NCAA championship, from first rounds to the finals.
Q. How long does the testing take?
A. If a student-athlete immediately provides an adequate specimen, the process takes about 10 minutes. If the student-athlete is unable to provide a specimen or provides a diluted or alkaline specimen, he or she will stay in the drug-testing station until an adequate specimen is provided.
Please remember that the above information addresses only the key issues of the extensive NCAA Bylaws concerning drug-testing and dietary supplements. For additional information, please contact Heather Lyke, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at (614) 292-2681.
