Watts Accepts Two-Year Sanction for Use of Banned Substance -- October 4, 2005

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, October 4. THE United States Anti-Doping Agency announced last week that Erica Watts has accepted a two-year ban for an inadvertent violation of the doping rule that addresses the use of prescription medications. Watts, a 24-year-old from Carmel, Indiana, tested positive at the 2005 U.S. Open Water National Championships, held in early June. Watts was found to have used methylphenidate.

Watts accepted her two-year sanction on September 23, but has been credited time to July 13, when she accepted a provisional suspension. Methylphenidate is a banned stimulant according to the rules of USADA and FINA, swimming’s international governing body. Watts disclosed her use of the drug but did not have a medical exemption that allowed for its use.

In accepting her ban, Watts will forfeit her second-place finish in the 25K race from the Open Water Nationals. USA Swimming will carry out Watts’ ban.

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