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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Gymnast Morgan Hamm, who was selected for his third Olympic team last month, received a warning Thursday for getting a prescribed anti-inflammatory shot without the proper clearance from anti-doping authorities.
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The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Hamm tested positive May 24 at the U.S. gymnastics championships for a glucocorticosteroid, a cortisone-like drug that is only allowed during competitions with an exemption. Hamm said he received the shot on May 2 for pain and inflammation in his left ankle, which he initially injured last August.
"It was an innocent mistake," Hamm said. "You always need to get the forms, that's the most important thing, and that's my failure."
Hamm accepted the warning for his first doping violation, and his results from the May 24 competition at nationals were thrown out. Results from that day, as well as the first day of nationals and two days of Olympic trials, were used to help determine the U.S. team for Beijing.
"We are investigating the statement from USADA, and we will work with USADA, the USOC and Morgan to determine the next best steps," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.
Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said, "So long as the proper documentation is provided to USADA, this will not be a problem going forward."
The anti-inflammatory Hamm took is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances, but athletes can take it before a competition if there is a medical need for it and if they receive an exemption. Hamm said he was given the drug by his doctor, Mark Triffon, after taping, ultrasound and other therapies didn't reduce the pain and swelling in his ankle, but failed to ask for the therapeutic use exemption.
Hamm said he didn't realize he needed the exemption. Hamm's coach, Miles Avery said he was aware an exemption was needed but failed to remind Hamm.
"I should have reminded him and made sure, 'Let's get this TUE form to be on the safe side with that,"' Avery said.
