United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has banned legendary time trial cyclist John Frey for two years after he violated anti-doping rules and refused to provide an anti-doping biological sample – a World Anti-Doping Article 2.3 violation.

Frey, 65, refused to provide a sample after being notified by a USADA doping control officer during an in-competition test at the Paula Higgins Memorial Time Trial in Moriarty, New Mexico on 4 September 2023. After the event, race officials contacted USADA to conduct an out-of-competition test on Frey and his tandem cycling partner to ratify what race officials believed to have been a new national record set at the event.

But when the doping control officer arrived to collect a sample, Frey, who is well versed in anti-doping rules and testing protocols after competing for over 30 years, refused to be tested.

Evading sample collection or refusing or failing to provide a sample without compelling justification is an anti-doping rule violation under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the International Cycling Union Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Under the applicable rules, the default sanction for Recreational Athletes who evade sample collection or refuse or fail to provide a sample is a two-year period of ineligibility. Although Frey is a former professional (Team Shaklee), Olympian (1988), Pan American Games champion (1987), USA National Champion (1988) and multiple national time trial record holder, USADA determined that the 65 year-old Frey now qualifies as a Recreational Athlete under the rules, and therefore a two year ban is appropriate.

Frey will not be able to participate in the sport in any capacity until 20 November 2025. In addition, he has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to 4 September 2023, including forfeiture of any medals, points, records and prizes.

Photo Credit: USADA

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