Anti-Doping Education for Ultrarunners with Tammy Hanson, USADA Elite Education Director #221
Episode overview:
Tammy Hanson currently serves as the Elite Education Director at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), where she oversees day-to-day operations of USADA’s education and engagement initiatives, drives strategic planning, and develops effective, data-driven programs that focus on clean sport education. Tammy is recognized for her commitment to supporting global anti- doping partners and ongoing international research.
Since joining USADA in 2015, Tammy has overseen a nearly twelvefold increase in education reach highlighted by a significant rise in coach education and has contributed to the enhancement of audience-specific content and programs.
Originally from Wisconsin, Tammy earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2006 and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University in 2019. Tammy has a passion for empowering athletes with the tools necessary to compete with integrity.
Episode highlights:
(24:01) Athlete responsibilities: testing, knowing your rights, what are you putting in your body, over 300 prohibited substances, many prohibit substances are common over the counter medications, check globaldro.com, dietary supplements, other considerations
(53:21) Advice for athletes: Pikes Peak Marathon example, different anti-doping organizations, the landscape is fractured, read the rules of your race
(1:09:54) Educational resources: links in the show notes, go to experts, don’t guess, rules change
Our conversation:
(0:00) Introduction: Tammy’s role at USADA, educating athletes about anti-doping, UTMB and Western States already do in-competition testing, the evolution of anti-doping in ultra trail, check out KoopCast 81 with Dr. Fedoruk from USADA
(3:20) What is USADA: United States Anti-Doping Agency, setup, overseeing anti-doping in Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Tammy’s role in athlete anti-doping education
(6:55) USADA contract work: the creation and role of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), clean competition in unregulated non-Olympic sports like ultra trail, the rigorous testing process and starting with athlete education
(11:17) The system behind USADA: testing, results management, science, legal, there is much going on behind the scenes, TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) example
(12:40) Scope of USADA: the size of USADA’s team, breakdown, domain experts, TUE department, TrueSport, working with athletes from a young age
(14:51) Anti-doping in ultra trail: hiring Tammy to educate elite athletes, responsibility and stakeholders, the introduction of anti-doping measures is going to be messy, staying ahead of the game
(17:48) Current anti-doping rules: UTMB and Western States, read the anti-doping policy for any race you sign up for, registering for UTMB/WS100 makes you eligible for in and out of competition testing
(21:03) Starting anti-doping education: what races are you signing up for, the WADA code, a complicated topic, finding resources, TUE examples
(24:01) Athlete responsibilities: testing, knowing your rights, what are you putting in your body, over 300 prohibited substances, many prohibit substances are common over the counter medications, check globaldro.com, dietary supplements, other considerations
(26:04) Strict liability: anything that goes in an athlete is their responsibility, examples, minimum 4 year ban for intentional doping, less for unintentional doping but athletes are still liable
(28:08) Burden of proof: this falls on the athlete, save your supplement samples, take note of where you eat out, examples, the same excuse is used by intentional and unintentional dopers, reputation damage and public perception
(30:35) Investigating positive samples: tracking down the source, investigating claims, examples, advocating for rule changes when necessary
(32:04) The prohibited substance list: reviewing the prohibited substance list, how a substance gets on the list, it must meet two of the following: enhances sport performance, poses a health risk to the athlete, violating the spirit of the sport
(34:22) How the prohibited list changes: the monitoring list, rule changes, plasma donation is now permitted, tramadol is now prohibited during competition, glucocorticoids
(36:11) Dynamic rules: consistent significant changes in the prohibited list year to year, athletes have October to December to make changes
(37:35) TUEs: Therapeutic Use Exemptions, check globaldro.com, insulin is prohibited but necessary for diabetics, applying for a TUE
(39:35) The TUE evaluation process: returning TUEs to athletes for “incomplete information”, inhaler example, expiration dates, check and balances in the system
(41:56) Emergency situations: IV example, getting in an accident, retroactive TUE applications, reach out to USADA for information
(44:00) TUE scrutiny: inhaler example, transparency, appeal system, TUEs and anonymous
(46:08) Avoiding bias: anonymity in TUE applications and sample testing
(47:00) Sample collection: in-competition testing, bring a partner who can advocate for your rights when you are tired post-race, urine collection process, collection equipment, A and B samples, paperwork, blood testing
(51:04) Lab processing: USADA returns your results whether positive or negative, restorage, option for participation in research, positive tests, arbitration and appeals
(53:21) Advice for athletes: Pikes Peak Marathon example, different anti-doping organizations, the landscape is fractured, read the rules of your race
(55:06) Advocating for yourself: multiple urine cups example, ask questions, know which anti-doping agency is being used
(57:19) Personal example: UTMB changing their anti-doping partner, making sure the anti-doping agencies give you your rights, know who is taking your sample
(59:49) USADA is a resource: reach out if you have questions, find a local organizing committee or official for questions in the moment
(1:00:27) Out of competition (OOC) testing: this now exists in ultra trail, USADA’s process, top athletes are added to the out of competition testing pool, whereabouts program, friction with athletes
(1:03:37) OOC testing in ultra trail: education is the first step, education in arbitration cases, a learning program is required before the whereabouts program
(1:05:11) Determining the OOC testing pool: challenges in ultra trail, logistical challenges, USADA’s work collaborating with clients to identify the pool
(1:06:51) OOC testing process: no-notice testing, at your home or elsewhere, OOC testing is more resource intensive
(1:09:54) Educational resources: links in the show notes, go to experts, don’t guess, rules change
(1:12:09) Where to seek advice: don’t rely on your peers, well intended advice is not always correct or contextualized, go to the source or the expert, dispelling misinformation
(1:13:35) USADA resources: check out usada.org, anti-doping 101 and where to find more information, USADA on social media, additional resources, e-learning tutorials
(1:16:17) GlobalDRO and NSF: check all medications with globalDRO, your doctor likely doesn’t know anti-doping rules, make sure substances are certified with NSF
(1:17:35) Wrap-up: where to learn more about anti-doping, reach out to Tammy or USADA, putting athletes and athlete education first, giving thanks, check out the show notes
(1:21:52) Outro: giving thanks, educate yourself, check out the resources in the show notes, next week’s episode with Corrine Malcolm
Additional resources:
KoopCast with USADAs Matthew Fedork
Podcast on NSAIDS in Ultrarunning
SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for Ultrarunning
Buy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible
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