Mon, July 07, 2025
Track coach banned for life after administering testosterone to his minor son
Texan track and field coach Michael Vowell has received a lifetime ban from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for administering testosterone to his son Seth Vowell, 16, who has also been sanctioned for committing an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
USADA was alerted to the situation by a whistleblower. It then conducted an investigation where it discovered that Michael Vowell, 49, gave his own prescription testosterone gel to his son and competitive runner Seth Vowell, 16, during the 2023 USA Track & Field Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships on December 10, 2023.
Naturally, the male sex hormone testosterone, which creates larger and stronger bones, greater muscle mass and strength, and higher circulating haemoglobin, is a non-Specified Substance in the class of Anabolic Agents and is strictly prohibited under the USADA Protocol or Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
As a result, Michael Vowell accepted a lifetime period of ineligibility. He was found guilty of possession of a prohibited substance, administration of a prohibited substance, and complicity. Seth Vowell qualified for a reduced two-year period of ineligibility in light of the circumstances. Such anti-doping violations would usually result in a four-year ban.
Michael Vowell’s lifetime period of ineligibility began on March 19, 2025, the date he was provisionally suspended. Seth Vowell was provisionally suspended at the same time as his father.
Seth Vowell has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and after December 10, 2023, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
USADA CEO Travis Tygart expressed: “This case is a devastating example of why it’s so important for athlete support personnel, including coaches and parents, to put athlete well-being above all else, especially when involving minors. And when they don’t, as in this case, they will be held accountable to the full force of the rules.”
USADA’S full statement can be found here.
