Rhythmic Gymnast Banned for Taking Altitude Sickness Medication | steroid.com

Laura Zeng received a reduced suspension after proving she was given the medication to combat an illness at a high-altitude location.

Laura Zeng, a 19-year old rhythmic gymnast who represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has been suspended after taking a popular altitude sickness medication. The altitude sickness medication contained the prohibited drug acetazolamide.

Zeng tested positive result for the altitude sickness drug resulted from an out-of-competition urine sample collected by a doping control officer working for the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on October 18, 2018.

Acetazolamide is classified as a “Diuretics and Masking Agent” that it prohibited both in- and out-of-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List of Substances. While it could theoretically be used to mask other prohibited drugs like anabolic steroids, this is not the reason it is typically used by athletes.

Acetazolamide facilitates acclimatization to high altitude by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Acetazolamide, under the brand names Diamox and Diacarb, is used by athletes who train and compete in high-altitude locations. The drug is generally used for three days to facilitate acclimatization and avoid symptoms of mountain sickness. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers it one of the most effect and safe medications that is essential in a health care system.

Athletes who are found guilty of a first-time anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) are generally given a four-year suspension from competition. However, a reduction in the sanction is possible if the athlete can prove that there were extenuating circumstances. For example, they did not knowingly consumer a prohibited substance.

Zeng claim she was never knowingly consumed a prohibited substance. She was unaware of ingesting any medication other than ibuprofen. However, she was able to document her use of acetazolamide while suffering from an illness at a high altitude location. USADA verified Zeng’s account using her whereabouts data and prescription details.

Acetazolamide is the same drug used by Japanese speedskate Kei Saito at the 2018 PeyongChang Winter Olympics. Saito tested positive for acetazolamide arising from a sample collected on February 4, 2018. Saito was provisionally suspended and kicked out of the Olympic Games.

Athletes are only permitted to use acetazolamide if they obtain a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) prior to its use.

Source:

USADA. (December 19, 2018). U.S. Gymnastics Athlete Laura Zeng Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Retrieved from usada.org/laura-zeng-accepts-doping-sanction/