Pahlavan
16-05-2015, 00:34
The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) has long discussed the creation of an increased and standardized protocol for punishing drug users in combat sports, often to the point of exasperation as little was actually accomplished. But on Friday, that slow crawl burst into an outright sprint, with the commission unanimously approving a slew of sweeping changes that will dramatically transform the landscape of combat sports starting in the fall.
The changes to the NAC's protocols are many, but among the most consequential are the new guidelines established as a standard to penalize athletes who test positive in-competition for banned substances in the state of Nevada. Under the approved measures, violations would fall under five categories and be allocated out to the first, second, third, and occasionally forth offense, with punishments depending on the severity of the banned substance and the history of the fighter, each topped by lifetime suspensions for repeat offenders.
The new guidelines are as follows:
Tier 1: Sedatives, Muscle relaxants, Sleep aids, Anxiolytics, Opiates, Cannabis
1st offense: 18-month suspension, fine of 30-40% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 24-month suspension, fine of 40-50% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 60-75% of fighter's purse
4th offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 2: Diuretics being used to cut weight
1st offense: 24-month suspension, fine of 30-40% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 40-60% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 3: Stimulants (Amphetamines, Cocaine, Etc.)
1st offense: 24-month suspension, fine of 35-45% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 50-60% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 4: Anabolic steroids (includes Testosterone, HGH)
1st offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 50-75% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 48-month suspension, fine of 75-100% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 5: Avoiding testing/detection/urine sample not of human origin or not of tested athletes, Adulterants, Drugs (including diuretics) used as masking agents
1st offense: 48-month suspension, fine of 75% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
The finalized guidelines are significantly more severe than the initial guidelines handed out by the commission, which featured merely a nine-month suspension for first-time Tier 1 offenders and a two-year suspension for fighters caught for the first time with anabolic steroids. The NAC unanimously approved the final amendments, with NAC chairman Francisco Aguilar crediting his fellow commissioners for their efforts.
The changes to the NAC's protocols are many, but among the most consequential are the new guidelines established as a standard to penalize athletes who test positive in-competition for banned substances in the state of Nevada. Under the approved measures, violations would fall under five categories and be allocated out to the first, second, third, and occasionally forth offense, with punishments depending on the severity of the banned substance and the history of the fighter, each topped by lifetime suspensions for repeat offenders.
The new guidelines are as follows:
Tier 1: Sedatives, Muscle relaxants, Sleep aids, Anxiolytics, Opiates, Cannabis
1st offense: 18-month suspension, fine of 30-40% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 24-month suspension, fine of 40-50% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 60-75% of fighter's purse
4th offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 2: Diuretics being used to cut weight
1st offense: 24-month suspension, fine of 30-40% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 40-60% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 3: Stimulants (Amphetamines, Cocaine, Etc.)
1st offense: 24-month suspension, fine of 35-45% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 50-60% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 4: Anabolic steroids (includes Testosterone, HGH)
1st offense: 36-month suspension, fine of 50-75% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: 48-month suspension, fine of 75-100% of fighter's purse
3rd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
Tier 5: Avoiding testing/detection/urine sample not of human origin or not of tested athletes, Adulterants, Drugs (including diuretics) used as masking agents
1st offense: 48-month suspension, fine of 75% of fighter's purse
2nd offense: Lifetime suspension, fine of 100% of fighter's purse
The finalized guidelines are significantly more severe than the initial guidelines handed out by the commission, which featured merely a nine-month suspension for first-time Tier 1 offenders and a two-year suspension for fighters caught for the first time with anabolic steroids. The NAC unanimously approved the final amendments, with NAC chairman Francisco Aguilar crediting his fellow commissioners for their efforts.