The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today announced it has officially warned Mark Fretta, a triathlete from the USA, after committing an anti-doping rule violation during an in-competition doping control test in London, United Kingdom on August 15 2009.

Fretta’s anti-doping rule violation was a result of an adverse analytical finding of ephedrine, a stimulant substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

Following the notification of the adverse analytical finding of his “A” sample, Fretta exercised his right under the ITU Doping Rules to have the “B” sample opened.

The “B” sample was opened and analyzed using the ISO accredited methods.  On September 18, the analytical result confirmed the “A” sample and presence of ephedrine in the urine.

The athlete provided laboratory analysis results that confirmed that the tablets in the bottle of caffeine supplements which the athlete had been using and ingested prior to the race contained a trace of ephedrine. These results confirmed that a cross-contamination of ephedrine in the caffeine supplement tablets was the probable cause of the adverse analytical finding.

The Panel imposed a warning on Fretta. The result obtained by Fretta during the Triathlon World Championship Series in London England will also be cancelled.

To avoid circumstances similar to the one at hand from reoccurring, the ITU Anti-Doping Hearing Panel urges all triathletes and ITU member federations to be most diligent in their selection of supplements, especially in the form of tablets, in order to avoid any similar occurrences; or to avoid the use of supplements altogether.

ITU is strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport by ensuring athletes are competing on a level-playing field by abiding to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code to help keep triathlon clean.  The ITU Anti-Doping Rules are written in compliance with the WADA Code.  For a National Federation (NF) to be affiliated with ITU, it must abide by the WADA Code and ITU Rules.