U.S. Weightlifting Athlete Cheyenne Schenk Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation
Press Release
27th February 2019
USADA announced today that Cheyenne Schenk, of West Palm Beach, Fla., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a six-month suspension for an anti-doping rule violation.
Schenk, 22, tested positive for 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (Carboxy-THC), a urinary metabolite of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, marijuana and/or hashish, above the urinary Decision Limit of 180 ng/mL, as the result of a urine sample collected in-competition at the American Open Finals on December 9, 2018. Cannabis, marijuana and hashish are Specified Substances in the class of Cannabinoids and are prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Policy, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List.
Schenk accepted a six-month period of ineligibility that began on January 28, 2019, the date she accepted a provisional suspension. Based on Schenk’s successful completion of a USADA anti-doping educational tutorial, her period of ineligibility was reduced by three months. In addition, Schenk has been disqualified from competitive results obtained on and subsequent to December 9, 2018, the date her positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Athletes are advised that the use of a substance or medication out-of-competition, that is prohibited only in-competition, may result in an anti-doping rule violation if the prohibited substance is still present in their body when tested at a competition. USADA cannot predict the clearance time for any substance for any particular individual. If an athlete needs to therapeutically use a substance prohibited in-competition and they are nearing a competition, they are strongly encouraged to contact USADA to learn if they need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as 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 (www.Supplement411.org) as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as an easy-reference wallet card with examples of prohibited and permitted substances, a supplement guide <https://mailchi.mp/22b7a708984d/truesport-supplement-guide>, a nutrition guide <https://www.usada.org/resources/nutrition/>, an athlete handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
