Pro Mark Fretta Receives Sanction For Anti-Doping Rule Violation

American professional triathlete Mark Fretta, the original winner of the 2010 Life Time Chicago Triathlon, has been suspended from competition for a doping offense.

Fretta was sanctioned for “variations in his individual longitudinal blood profile,” also known as the biological passport, meaning characteristics of his blood changed in ways deemed by USADA to indicate manipulation through illicit means.

USADA also cited “documentary evidence” that Fretta was using the banned blood booster EPO, although they did not indicate Fretta tested positive for EPO.

Fretta’s four year suspension started June 11th, 2012.

As a result of the sanction, Fretta will be disqualified from all results dating back to August 18th, 2010, the date the first sample in his longitudinal profile was taken.

Fretta’s LinkedIn profile indicates he has “retired” from professional triathlon.

At time of publication, USADA has not responded to a request for further details.

 

See the complete announcement from USADA below and check back to Triathlete.com as we continue to follow this story:

USADA announced today that Mark Fretta, of Colorado Springs, Colo., an athlete in the sport of triathlon, has committed an anti-doping rule violation and received a sanction for his doping offense.

Fretta, 35, received a four-year period of ineligibility after variations in his individual longitudinal blood profile as well as other documentary evidence indicated the use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents such as Erythropoietin (“EPO”).  Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents are prohibited in the class of Peptide Hormones which are prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Triathlon Union Anti-Doping Rules, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) Prohibited List.

USADA conducts longitudinal blood data collection and comprehensive scientific review to identify changes in biological parameters that may be indicative of doping. The program consists of collecting athlete samples to measure an athlete’s unique biological parameters, including, but not limited to, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and percentage reticulocytes, over time to establish an individual longitudinal blood profile. Variations and fluctuations in these measurements when compared to an athlete’s own established longitudinal blood profile can be indicative of prohibited, performance-enhancing drug use, and can result in an anti-doping rule violation under the Code.

Fretta’s four-year period of ineligibility began on June 11, 2012, the date he accepted a provisional suspension.  As a result of the violation, Fretta has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to August 18, 2010, the date USADA collected the first blood sample that was included in Fretta’s individual longitudinal blood profile.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.