U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skier Staci Mannella Accepts Finding of No Fault
Press Release
30th January 2018
USADA announced today that Staci Mannella, of Randolph, N.J., an athlete in the sport of Paralympic alpine skiing, has tested positive for a prohibited substance, which was determined to have been ingested by her without fault or negligence. As a result, Mannella will not face a period of ineligibility for her positive test, and because the sample was collected out-of-competition, there are no competitive results to disqualify.
Mannella, 21, tested positive for torsemide as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample she provided on November 10, 2017. Torsemide is a Specified Substance in the class of Diuretics and Masking Agents and prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, and the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. During USADA’s investigation into the circumstances of her case, Mannella provided USADA with records for a permitted oral prescription medication she was taking at the time of her positive test. This permitted medication did not list torsemide on the label, which is available only by prescription, or any other prohibited substances. However, detailed laboratory analysis subsequently conducted on the athlete’s medication tablets, as well as the same brand and dose of tablets independently sourced, confirmed torsemide contamination.
“While the rules require this to be publicly announced, we strongly believe this case, and others like it, should be considered no violation,” said Travis T. Tygart, Chief Executive Officer for USADA. “We will continue to advocate in the WADA Code review process that where no fault or negligence has occurred, an athlete should not face any violation or unnecessary public attention.”
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.
