COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. - The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Tuesday that Michael Picotte of San Diego, an athlete in the sport of swimming, refused to take part in a USADA out-of-competition test on June 20, 2001 in San Diego.

The refusal to participate in a drug test is the equivalent of a positive drug test, according to La Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA), the sport's international federation, and results in a sanction.

Picotte, 29, was suspended for four years from competition, beginning June 20, 2001. USA Swimming Inc., the national governing body for the sport in the United States, will carry out the sanction, which begins from the date of the refusal.

In addition, Picotte, a world-ranked freestyle swimmer, will be disqualified from all competitive results from Dec. 20, 2000 to June 20, 2001, per FINA's Doping Rules. "I regret refusing to take the USADA test, and also for failing to abide by the USADA and United States Olympic Committee retirement protocol", said Picotte. "I recognize these rules have a purpose, and failing to comply with these rules was my responsibility. Each athlete is responsible for their decisions, and I hope that other athletes can learn from my decision."

This is the 14th announcement issued by USADA in 2001. USADA became the independent anti-doping agency for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes in October 2000. USADA is the independent anti-doping agency for Olympic sports in the United States, and is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication process for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes.

USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

Michael Picotte(USA) born in 1972

25 M POOL
50 METRES FREESTYLE	(SCM)
22.30		USASCDEC	USA	H, 28	SCM01
22.36		USASCDEC	USA	F, 28	SCM01

100 METRES FREESTYLE	(SCM)
48.51		USASCDEC	USA	F, 28	SCM01


50 M POOL
50 METRES FREESTYLE	(LCM)
23.27		USOPNDEC	USA	F, 25	LCM97
23.32		USALCMAR	USA	C, 28	LCM01
23.41		USOPNDEC	USA	H, 25	LCM97
23.95		NOVAJUN	USA	F, 27		LCM00

100 METRES FREESTYLE	(LCM)
50.51		USALCMAR	USA	T, 28		LCM01
50.65		USALCMAR	USA	B, 28		LCM01
50.98		USOPNDEC	USA	F, 25		LCM97
51.14		USOPNDEC	USA	H, 25		LCM97
51.98		USAAUG	USA	T, 19		LCM90

100 FREE RELAY LEGS	(LCM)
49.97		FISUJUL	USA	F, 93		LCM93

100 METRES BUTTERFLY	(LCM)
55.47		USAAUG	USA	T, 91		LCM91

He was 13th in the 100 free at March US World Trials 2001, and than had a faster time from a time trial.

In 1993 he was part of USA 4x100 free relay winner of Universiade in Buffalo, NY.