U.S. Paralympic Archery Athlete Richard Burkett Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation
Press Release
6th April 2021
USADA announced today that Richard Burkett, of New Castle, Pa., an athlete in the sport of Para archery, has accepted a 15-month suspension for an anti-doping rule violation.
Burkett, 49, tested positive for testosterone and/or its metabolites as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected at the Target Nationals on August 14, 2020. Testosterone is a non-Specified Substance in the category of Anabolic Agents and is prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the World Archery Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
After a thorough review of the case, including the examination of medical records provided by the athlete, USADA determined that Burkett’s positive test was caused by a prescribed medication containing testosterone, which he was using in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician. Although the substance was taken at the direction of a physician for a legitimate medical purpose and Burkett declared his use of testosterone on his doping control form, he lacked a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) at the time his urine sample was collected. Burkett has since obtained a prospective TUE through the established process under the International Standard for TUEs authorizing future use of this medication in sport.
Burkett’s 15-month period of ineligibility began on August 14, 2020, the date his positive sample was collected. In addition, Burkett has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to April 2, 2020, the date on which he first used testosterone, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
