USATF to Val Barnwell: Not so fast on entering masters nationals

Val Barnwell

In the past few hours, I’ve traded noetes with a half-dozen people on the delicate matter of Val Barnwell’s entry at Bloomington masters nationals in March. The bottom line: He may not compete until he jumps through some hoops. USATF media honcho Jill Geer writes: “Mr. Barnwell has entered our championships and we are in the process of determining his eligibility to compete. Eligibility depends on completing USADA-mandated reinstatement testing and returning his medal from ’09 Worlds.” Masters track national chairman Gary Snyder says: “The MTF Committee is not involved in any of the decision process and in fact is on the receiving end regarding status of athletes.” And a USATFer who didn’t want to be named said: “Once an athlete completes his or her suspension, reinstatement and right to compete is not automatic. The athlete must apply for reinstatement and undergo several processes, which include out-of-competition testing, at the athlete’s expense, I’m told. If the athlete has not been reinstated by the federation, he or she cannot compete.” Another source who didn’t want name divulged wrote me that Val hasn’t applied for reinstatement.

I also got this long note from Nick at the USADA media office:

I suggest you take a look at the WMA anti-doping rules, specifically page 30 which takes a look at requirements for returning to competition following ineligibility. (one out –of-competition test, etc, at the athlete’s cost.

If you look at point 14 (on page 31) it discusses how confirmation, once the WMA’s requirements are met, will be given to the athlete by the WMA anti-doping administrator.

I can’t tell from your email if someone from the WMA has been copied but the WMA is going to be heading this process up and they will determine how and to whom they are giving out information on a specific situation. Obviously they would work with the event organizers about athlete eligibility, but not sure their specific protocol for notifying additional parties.

From our standpoint, our information is located here in our Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic movement testing, specifically section 10.11. That section states:

“As a condition to regaining eligibility at the end of a specified period of Ineligibility, an Athlete must, during any period of Provisional Suspension or Ineligibility, make him or herself available for Out-of-Competition Testing by any Anti-Doping Organization having Testing jurisdiction, and must, if requested, provide current and accurate whereabouts information. If an Athlete subject to a period of Ineligibility retires from sport and is removed from Out-of-Competition Testing pools and later seeks reinstatement, the Athlete shall not be eligible for reinstatement until the Athlete has notified relevant Anti-Doping Organizations and has been subject to Out-of-Competition Testing for a period of time equal to the period of Ineligibility remaining as of the date the Athlete had retired.”

As you can see, our policy addresses what the athlete must be doing during their suspension, and also addresses what happens if the athlete retires during their ineligibility period, but those additional requirements you mention after completion of the sanction go through WMA. We may provide testing services, but they will be handling the official eligibility issues.

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February 17, 2012

9 Responses

  1. Kenneth Effler - February 18, 2012

    I’m not sure how rules pertaining to Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic apply to masters track. After all, masters athletes are not included in out of competition testing. I can understand that Mr. Barnwell needs to apply for re-instatement, and also needs to return his World Championship medals, but to apply conditions to his re-instatement that normally aren’t required for masters competition seems to be an overkill. If he is re-instated, and fails testing at a competition again, he is gone for good.

  2. Jim - February 18, 2012

    Glad to see that a safe guard of this type is in place. Its what I was alluding to in my comment on the other article. If he gets through the reinstatement period I will join in welcoming him back.
    I can appreciate the whole “let bygones be bygones” attitude but PED use is only gone when its truly gone.

  3. Mary Harada - February 19, 2012

    In response to Ken Effler: I have read the USADA and WMA anti-doping websites and there does not appear to be anything on it that especially singles out masters track. That being said – if you look at the list of banned athletes on the USATF website – it combines all banned athletes on it – regardless of age and in fact does not indicate which of the banned athletes are masters.
    That being said – it seems logical to assume that masters track and field and road runners are treated the same for drug testing as all others. As often noted – the banned drugs are the same for masters as for elites – no special consideration is given to the different medical needs of aging athletes.
    If one is banned – as a masters – one falls under that same rules as non- masters who are banned. The single difference is that only the elites are subject – at this point – to making themselves available for out of competition drug testing. This rule has yet to be applied to masters except for a banned athlete seeking to be reinstated.
    That the USADA material should not refer to masters is not surprising – we are all treated the same way – aside – from out of competition testing. I would guess that junior athletes also are not tested outside of competition – if they are tested at all.
    The process for reinstatement is not clearly spelled out but I am sure that once one fails a drug test – the rules are clearly spelled out for banned athlete. To be reinstated – the banned athlete whose banned period has expired is able to apply for reinstatement. It is not automatic, medals must be returned, and drug testing done – at the athlete’s expense. In this instance it would be out of competition – as the athlete cannot return to competition until the required amount of testing is done.

  4. Kenneth Effler - February 19, 2012

    I re-read the Protocol and Mary is correct. While masters athletes are treated as level 2 for drug testing (no out of competition testing), there is no distinction given to banned athletes. Mr. Barnwell will have to be tested at his expense before he can be reinstated.

  5. Jerry Smartt - February 19, 2012

    I could use a ride to Bloomington..share expenses..meet you in Missouri..Springfield, Columbia, St. Louis. Smartty

  6. Courtland Gray - February 20, 2012

    Is anyone else wondering where the Cenegetics ad went that was so visible a few days ago? The one that uses all the banned PED’s?

  7. Stefan Waltermann - February 22, 2012

    Ken ate it. He needs to be tested.

  8. Kevin Burgess - September 17, 2012

    I see that Barnweel recently competed at the USA nationals in August. I assume he has now FULLY complied with all requirements Especially the out of competition test ( at his own expense) and the reurn of his World Championship medals. Or is this only a requirement to compete at future World events?

  9. Kevin Burgess - September 17, 2012

    Sorry for speling error

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