USADA Sanctions Breezy Johnson for Whereabouts Failures

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Breezy Johnson, the exceptional ski racer from Victor, Idaho who has earned 7 World Cup podiums, has agreed to a 14-month suspension imposed by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for missing three Whereabouts Failures in a 12-month period.

Johnson, aged 28, was part of the USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP), comprising elite athletes who must adhere to specific Whereabouts requirements for out-of-competition testing. Her three Whereabouts Failures occurred on October 29, 2022, June 13, 2023, and October 10, 2023, leading to the sanction.

The accumulation of three Whereabouts Failures within a year is a rule violation under various anti-doping protocols, including those of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. USADA found Johnson’s degree of fault to be relatively low and thus imposed a 14-month ineligibility period starting from October 10, 2023, the date of her third Whereabouts Failure. This also resulted in disqualification from competitive results achieved after that date, including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes.

Whereabouts information is crucial for effective out-of-competition testing to deter and detect doping. USADA provides extensive guidance and resources on its website, including instructions on filing and updating athlete Whereabouts, obtaining medication permissions, and understanding the risks of substances. Additionally, USADA offers a drug reference hotline, educational sessions, and materials to support clean sport initiatives.

Reporting mechanisms are available through the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, encouraging the protection of clean athletes and fair competition. USADA’s role extends to managing testing and results for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, alongside research and educational endeavors to uphold sport integrity.

Information source USADA.org