A Richmond, Texas track and field coach was handed a lifetime ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Monday after an investigation revealed he provided his 16-year-old son with testosterone, who received a two-year suspension.
According to USADA, Michael Vowell provided his own prescription testosterone gel to his son at the 2023 USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships on December 10, 2023.
Testosterone is classified by USASA as a non-specified substance in the anabolic agent and is prohibited at all times under the agency’s protocol in both Olympic and Paralympic Movement testing. It is also restricted by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is on its list of banned items.
Both Michael Vowell, 49, and his son have accepted the sanctions issued by USADA.
“This case is a devastating example of why it’s so important for athlete support personnel, including coaches and parents, to put athlete well-being above all else, especially when involving minors,” USADA head Travis T. Tygart said in a statement. “And when they don’t, as in this case, they will be held accountable to the full force of the rules.”
In USADA’s report, which initially dates back to late 2023, the organization became aware of the matter through a tip and launched its investigation. The testosterone gel was prescribed in Michael Vowell’s name and it is unclear if the substance was used by his son in any other competition outside of December 10, 2023 event.
Michael Vowell’s lifetime ban began on March 19, 2025, the date he was provisionally suspended.
His son’s two-year period of ineligibility also became active on March 19 — the time of his provisional suspension. He held personal bests of 2:09.28 in the 800m and 4:35.87 in the 1,600m – which came in 2024 — and all of his results from December 10, 2023 will be disqualified and any medals, points and prizes he obtained will be forfeited.
He is sophomore at William B. Travis High School in Richmond and would have faced a four-year ban but the suspension was reduced to two years because of his age at the time of the infraction.
