The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced on Friday that Aleia Hobbs has been issued a six month suspension for breaking anti-doping rules after receiving an intravenous infusion higher than allowed under specified mandates.
According to USADA, Hobbs, 30, was given an out-of-competition sample on February 5 and declared the use of a saline infusion that was administered intravenously at home as she tried to self-treat flu-like symptoms.
The infusion was more than the 100 milliliter per 12-hour period allowed under current rules for several governing bodies and anti-doping organizations, including those for the USADA protocol for Olympic and Paralympic movement testing, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee national anti-doping policy, and the World Athletics anti-doping guidelines.
All of those organizations abide by the World Anti-Doping Code and inventory of substances under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.
Hobbs’s use of the intravenous infusion did not qualify for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) under the qualifications in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions. She has accepted the sanction and her ineligibility period began on May 19. All of her competitive results from January 29 have been disqualified and any medals, points and prizes from that time have been forfeited.
USADA reiterated in its statement that athletes, coaches and support staff can easily access its online portal for comprehensive information on banned substances and the testing process along with updating an athlete’s whereabout status and the proper protocol on gaining the clearance to obtain — and use — necessary medication. There are also warnings listed on the possible risks and dangers of using certain supplements, performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
Hobbs won gold as part of Team USA’s women’s 4×100m relay squad at the 2022 world championships in Eugene and took silver in the same event at the 2020 Olympics.
