M55 champion Bob Arello Jr. gets public warning, loses medals

Bob is expert at many throws.

USADA let Bob off relatively lightly.

Budapest world champ Bob Arello won the throws pentathlon and super weight at masters throws nationals. (And got second in the ultrweight pent.) But he’s lost his medals, thanks to not having a TUE. USADA announced Tuesday that “Robert Arello of Sarasota, Fla., tested positive for a prohibited substance, after using a prescribed medication, and accepted a public warning for his rule violation. Arello, 56, tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide as the result of an in-competition urine sample collected August 29, 2015, at the [USATF] Masters Throws Championships in Seattle, Wash. Hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide are diuretics prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and IAAF Anti‐Doping Rules, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. Hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide are classified as Specified Substances, and therefore their presence in an athlete’s sample can result in a reduced sanction.”

The USADA press release continued:

After a thorough review of the case, including the examination of medical records provided by the athlete, USADA has accepted Arello’s explanation that the hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide were not being used in an effort to enhance his performance and that he was taking the prescribed medication in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician. USADA has since granted Arello a Therapeutic Use Exemption, authorizing his continued use of these substances while under USADA’s testing jurisdiction.

As a result of the violation, Arello has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to August 29, 2015, the date his sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

Print Friendly

October 27, 2015

35 Responses

  1. tb - October 28, 2015

    USADA let Bob off relatively lightly.

    Oh, they concur with his doctor’s diagnosis, do they? Well, that’s big of them.

    They’ve agreed that he did nothing wrong, that he may continue doing so, and to show that there are no hard feelings they took his medals?

    Not a fan.

  2. Mike Walker - October 28, 2015

    The system is complicated and needs to be reformed ASAP.
    Still, if he gained an advantage even though he did not intend to cheat was that fair to his competitors?

  3. Myrle Mensey - October 28, 2015

    I wish I knew he was taking that. I found out at the Annual meeting in 2013 at the Anti Doping session that it was a banned substance. They had a list of several athletes banned because of use. Its a high blood pressure medication, and nothing else for the older generation. Usually the first medication given when high blood pressure is detected. Glad they at least gave him a TUE. Sorry they took his medals and titles.

  4. Bob Arello - October 28, 2015

    The HCT is blended with other 2 drugs for high blood pressure. Been prescribed for many years. Well before I started throwing in Masters Track
    There is no competitive advantage to taking this because it’s only a diuretic.

  5. Ken Stone - October 28, 2015

    FYI. Diuretics don’t make you throw farther. But they can be used to mask drugs that do:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2962812/

    “Diuretics are often abused by athletes to excrete water for rapid weight loss and to mask the presence of other banned substances. Because of their abuse by athletes, diuretics have been included on The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited substances.”

  6. Jason Purcell - October 28, 2015

    Diuretics = red flag.

  7. Tom sputo - October 28, 2015

    For the rock throwers who are blessed to not have high blood pressure. Diuretics are the first line drug for hypertension treatment and often combined with other medications. The only reason why they appear on the prohibited list is as a potential masking agent. USADA will not suspend athletes who test positive for prescribed diuretics who do not also test positive for other prohibited substances. Anyone casting aspersions on Bob character are completely off base. Bob is one of the best roll models for throwing athletes. He has made his place of business available to others, including youth, for training and camps.

    What this points up is that there really needs to be a better process for dealing with masters athletes and TUEs. If every masters athlete who uses diuretics for hypertension control were to apply for a TUE I think USADA would be overwhelmed.

    I count Bob as a friend and top notch guy and an outstanding example of a masters athlete. Anyone who thinks less of Bob because of this travesty is way off base.

  8. Tony Echeandia - October 28, 2015

    Interesting topic and forgive me for being naive but what is TUE?

  9. Mike - October 28, 2015

    Tony….

    http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/

  10. Tom sputo - October 28, 2015

    Per the USADA website, non national class athletes (which specifically includes masters ) DO NOT NEED A PRIOR TUE FOR PRESCRIBED DIURETICS. Look it up. So Arello violated no rule, he was granted a Post TUE. So why the public announcement and loss of results?

  11. Peter L. Taylor - October 28, 2015

    If you have high blood pressure you should consult with your physician to determine appropriate treatment. Apparently, that is what Bob did (“…examination of medical records provided by the athlete”).

    Or, you could ignore your high blood pressure and face an increased risk of stroke, aortic aneurysm, kidney failure, and other possible consequences that you would never want to endure (and might not survive).

    Bob eventually was given a TUE, as noted above. Not getting one beforehand was his only mistake, as far as I can see.

    I appreciate the supportive comments of Tom Sputo (no. 7).

  12. Peter L. Taylor - October 28, 2015

    Tom Sputo got in 15 seconds before my post. Apparently, Bob Arello violated no rules at all.

  13. Terry Parks - October 28, 2015

    I think this shows that USADA is serious. When we compete at the National and International level, we are doing something that is pretty special and we should be aware of the heighten scrutniny that we will be under.

  14. Tony Echeandia - October 28, 2015

    Mike, thank you very much for the heads up!!

  15. Gary Dixon - October 28, 2015

    Thank you Tom for your #10 post. As far as Terry’s statement in #13, I’d like to admend it to read: this shows that the USADA has a serious flaw. Master athletes are not elite (although some may think they are) and are not in the same testing protocol as those in the elite pool. Serious consideration must be give to the fact that Bob Arello did no wrong and his wins and medals need to be restored. Any thought that the use of HCT was to “mask” anything, is totally off base and those who further that claim need to be educated to who Bob Arello is, and what he has done in and out of the throwing circle. Wise up.

  16. Ken Stone - October 28, 2015

    I looked it up, Tom, and it’s crazy complicated:

    http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/policy/

    5) Policy for Non-National Level Athletes
    a. Non-National Athletes are required to obtain a TUE in advance for all substances and methods prohibited at all times (In- and Out-of-Competition) according to the WADA Prohibited List. Non-National Athletes are also required to apply for TUEs for all Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods in advance of competing in any International Events (including those taking place in the United States).

    TUEs for Non-National Athletes will only be granted by a TUEC in strict accordance with the ISTUE and WADA Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs. Any Non-National Athlete who is a member or license-holder of a NGB, who chooses to Use a substance that is prohibited at all times, without prior TUE approval, risks an anti-doping rule violation, even when not competing.

    For a Non-National Athlete who has a first Adverse Analytical Finding caused by the Use of a medication and who is able to satisfy the criteria set forth in Section 5.b. below, USADA may determine that the Non-National Athlete has not committed an anti-doping rule violation if the Adverse Analytical Finding resulted from the Non-National Athlete’s Use of one or more of the following:

    Substances or methods prohibited only In-Competition or prohibited by particular sports
    Substances in the class of “Diuretics and Other Masking Agents;”
    Inhaled Beta-2 agonists; and
    Insulin where the Athlete can demonstrate diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes.
    TUEs will be obtained in the same manner as for National-Level Athletes

  17. Tom Sputo - October 28, 2015

    Ken, Lets play a game that I’ll call, “Navigate the USADA website.”

    1. Check both diuretics on the Global DRO website, both are prohibited in and out of competition.

    2. Go to the USADA website at http://www.usada.org/ and on the top bar, click on: Testing, then TUE.

    3. Next click on “Do you need a TUE”. http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/determine/

    4. Step 1: Prohibited in and out of competition (Go to Step 2)

    5. Step 2: Determine Competition Level, which categorizes the masters athlete (Arello) in Non-National as he does not fall into any of the International / National categories.

    6. Go to Step 3 and click on Non-national: 2) If the substance is prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition, then a TUE is needed prior to competition, except for the following substances. (1) Diuretics and masking agents; (2) Beta-2 agonists; (3) Insulin (If diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes.)

    Based on this search, it appears to me that a TUE was not needed for these diuretics prior to competition. So why the public warning and loss of results? Or was this information on the USADA website incorrect? I’m only a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering, and clearly not as bright as a Journalist, so where did I go wrong here?

  18. tb - October 28, 2015

    In Thomas’ point 5 (USADA Step 2) the USADA does specifically say, “(Open category only. Youth, juniors, masters, or age-groupers- are non-nationals).”

    If there are no further facts, this case should be closed.

  19. Rob Jerome - October 28, 2015

    Hydrochlorothiazide has for a long time been the most widely prescribed drug for high blood pressure in the US because it has been shown in many studies to reduce the possibility of heart attacks better than other drugs for people with hypertension. Very common drug. Nothing exotic about it.

    Most likely, many older Master Athletes take it simply because it’s the first drug their doctors will prescribe when their doctors say they have high blood pressure.

    So, I guess the choice becomes sitting down with your doctor to wade through the USADA database of prohibited drugs to figure out what you CAN take (even though it might not be the optimum medication for you) or to flood the organization with TUE requests.

    Seems like there’s gotta be a better way for an older population of athletes who want to compete just for the love of the sport.

  20. Jeff Davison - October 28, 2015

    How long does it take to get a TUE approved?
    Or rejected?

    And what do masters athletes do in the
    mean time for health reasons waiting
    for the TUE approval?

    What does the doctor prescribed if the
    TUE is rejected?
    TUE

  21. Adogooder - October 29, 2015

    In a prior posting, I wrote that I submitted medical records to the WMA Antidoping committee to get a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for my inhaler. I also take a diuretic and knew from my research that a TUE would be needed from USADA and WMA when it was combined with my inhaler.

    I submitted all my documents in early July in anticipation of attending Nationals and Worlds this year.
    I got prompt responses from USADA for my requests and have national TUEs. HOWEVER, I AM STILL AWAITING MY TUE FROM WMA. It has been a horrific experience so far.
    This is the first time I have had this experience with WMA. Normally the process would take about a month or so after you mail in your request and your supporting documentation.

    In order to get my TUE, I typically get all my records from my doctor and submit them with the documentation using the forms from each organization. * WMA has a different form from USADA.

    USADA is quite efficient and helpful when applying for a TUE. In fact, when my TUEs were about to expire, I got a reminder from them.
    It has been a pleasure working with them.

    On the other hand, this year it has been a nightmare working with WMA. And I am still awaitng a response to my request for my inhaler which I use as needed.

  22. Gary Snyder - October 29, 2015

    Hi Everybody,

    At each USATF Annual Meeting the Masters LDR and MTF Committees hold an information seminar full of Anti-Doping information. Most years a representative from USADA is there. I encourage you to contact your Association Masters Representative and insist that they attend this years session.

    Scheduled for Thursday December 3rd, from 3:00 – 4:50 PM.

    Gary Snyder
    National Chair
    USATF Masters T&F

  23. Mike Fortunato - October 29, 2015

    WADA’s claim that they are clear is ludicrous, and the treatment of Masters’ athletes, simultaneously encouraged to pay-to-play and then punished for taking the meds we need, suggests real reform, or a new organization, is needed. My own fear of being charged with this nonsense has meant living for years with untreated blood pressure issues, and I know I am not alone. How about an organization that actually serves our needs?

  24. Tom Sputo - October 29, 2015

    Mike in #23 hits the nail on the head. The only performance enhancing drugs that are going to really affect results are steroids, HGC and the like. If someone is that hard up for the glory that they want their jewels to shrink away and their liver to turn to swiss cheese, be my guest. If someone under the care of a physician needs test supplimentation so they can feel human again, why prevent them. None of us are making any money off this. Most of us are really just competing against ourselves, and at least for us throwers, having a friend win a meet instead of ourselves is great, just means that someone else is buying the beer afterwards. There has to be a simpler and better system for masters age athletes than for open age athletes.

  25. Guy Dirkin - October 29, 2015

    In comment 18, are Masters Athletes Non-Nationals and therefore exempt relative to diuretics (per Tom’s point ) Yes or no?

  26. Bob Cedrone - October 30, 2015

    DISCLAIMER!

    Bob Arello is a personal friend of mine, a fellow Twilight Thrower teammate, and someone for whom I have nothing but the highest regard. There is simply no one in the Throws community who knows Bob that would have anything negative to say about his character, his honesty, and his integrity. So, all of you who read this please know that I am an unabashed friend of Bob and thus am biased in his favor with my comments.

    Having said that, I still am having trouble understanding the base reason for WADA and its national counterpart USADA taking away medals and voiding results, and then issuing a post-test TUE. It is high time – no, make that past high time – that WADA and USADA revisit some of their restrictive policies regarding Masters level athletes who are taking meds which are meant to resolve a patient’s negative medical conditions and which may be needed to maintain a somewhat normal quality of life.

    My understanding is that Bob has been prescribed this particular medication to control a diagnosis of Hypertension since before he started his Masters throwing career. If that be the case, and sufficient documentation has been provided by his physician, there should be a “no harm – no foul” resolution. I have competed with Bob many times, and I have NO problem with him competing while being on this medication. I view this as a preventative solution to what might otherwise turn out to be a dreaded health result.

    As Mike Fortunato has posted on this subject, Masters athletes pay-to-play and, except for a very small minority, are not subsidized for their efforts. As a thrower myself who participates in a variety of throwing events, I know how much implements cost. Not to mention that every 10 years we get to dig deep and restock our shelves with new Age Group appropriate implements. Add in travel, time, and entrance fees and you realize that we are in this “for the love of the game” and not for monetary compensation or financial gain.

    If Masters athletes are prescribed meds in order to prolong their years so that they can counter potentially debilitating or deadly medical conditions, WADA and USADA should take note and act accordingly. Don’t treat Masters athletes with the same protocols as professional track & field athletes.

  27. Randy Wilson - October 30, 2015

    Well said Bob. Ditto

  28. Jeff Davison - October 31, 2015

    For the approvals to get faster . . do our USATF dues need to get higher to assist pay for additional TUE processors ?

  29. Mike Walker - October 31, 2015

    Rather than to spend more money to hire more people to process paperwork and test for drugs, I would rather eliminate drug testing for Masters athletes. The system is not workable and not likely to be fixed anytime soon. Look at the mess for the elite athletes. They get tested often but it does not seem to stop those who cheat, they just look for new ways to beat the system.

  30. Craig Simmons - October 31, 2015

    What are the they going to do if Bob doesn’t return the medals? Call in a SWAT team, “due to lack of paper work,” break down his front door and confiscate them? The fact is that Bob won his medals fair and square. It’s almost like they are saying that he can’t keep his medals because he is taking a medication to keep him alive and if he didn’t take his meds he’d be dead so he wouldn’t have been able to compete and win the medals therefore the medication gave him an unfair advantage because he was alive to be able to compete. Anyway, congrats Bob on your hard work, talent, and good health that helped you to win the medals and without using any illegal substances that would have given you an unfair advantage. I have to wonder if someone might not take meds they need for their health so they can compete without going through the hassle of doing the paperwork and ultimately harming their health. I would never have guessed in a million years that competing as a masters athlete would be so complicated. Some of the stories I’ve read about trying to get a record ratified are also mind boggling. Life is complicated enough without extra complicated processes that seem to be unnecessary.

  31. Jim Burgoyne - November 1, 2015

    As Bob Cedrone said, I too am a friend and teammate of Bob Arello. In addition, I competed against Bob in this meet so would have more to gain than others…but that is not how we Throwers roll!

    The TUE should be retroactive. How can it be ok going forward but wasn’t then?

    Bob won. No question in my mind. You can’t take those performances away if what he is doing is ok going forward. Keep the medals and keep your head held high.

  32. Mike B - November 4, 2015

    These are masking agents…They mask steroids…

  33. Tom Sputo - November 4, 2015

    To Mike B who posted Comment #32; What are you trying to imply with your comment? Why not just be clear and say what you are intending to say.

  34. Tuariki Delamere - November 4, 2015

    I imagine, there but for the grace of God go many masters athletes. I am presuming I am one of them.

    I take ventolin and seretide regularly as I am asthmatic. Once or twice a year my peak flow meter reading will drop from a normal of 550 down to 300 or lower. The doctors, besides sticking me on a nebuliser with salbutamol, also prescribe me a course of prednisone. I understand prednisone is a banned steroid. As I am a thrower, of sorts, these days, perhaps I should be rushing out and doing massive weight training during the period I am on steroids.

    As I can only do 12m and 42m respectively in shot and discus, I don’t think I will be rushing out to apply for a TUE.

  35. Tony Bailey - November 4, 2015

    But what if …..

Leave a Reply