Yul Moldauer suspended by USADA for 16 months due to whereabouts violation

By Patricia Duffy | January 17, 2025
Yul Moldauer at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials for gymnastics.
© Amy Sanderson/Gymnastics Now

Tokyo Olympian and world medalist Yul Moldauer – one of the undisputed leaders of the U.S. men’s program – announced Thursday that he has been suspended by USADA for 16 months for a whereabouts failure.

Moldauer, who was a non-traveling alternate for the Paris Games last summer, missed three tests in a 12-month period, with the last coming after he missed out on making the five-man U.S. Olympic team.

USADA’s Whereabouts Policy outlines what happens in the case of “Whereabouts Failures.” In essence, a Whereabouts Failure is when an athlete fails to “timely, accurately or completely provide required whereabouts information and/or being unavailable for testing due to inaccurate or insufficient information provided.” If an athlete has three Whereabouts Failures within a rolling 12-month period, they are considered to have committed an anti-doping rule violation and are subject to a period of ineligibility between one and two years for a first offense.

Moldauer explained his three Whereabouts Failures in his statements (see below) and reiterated that he has “never tested positive for any banned substances.”

Moldauer’s management team initially confirmed to Gymnastics Now that he would not appeal before he shared an additional statement clarifying his original statement and why he decided not to appeal.

“I want to say thank you to all of the people who are supporting me publicly and privately after being made aware of the suspension,” Moldauer said.

“Sincerely, it’s very humbling to know that so many people care about me as both a person and an athlete. Unfortunately, I find myself needing to clarify my previous statement based upon some of the comments that are being posted. The previous statement that was released seems to imply that USADA or WADA, or the anti-doping officer was somehow responsible for my suspension due to either a bad system or some other type of error. That is about as far from the truth as possible. What I was trying to make clear to the gymnastics world was that I had never failed a drug a test… ever… and my suspension was automatic due to three whereabout failures.

“I am aware there are many young gymnasts and athletes who have looked up to me and continue to look up to me. I owe them and everyone a clearer response than what I previously provided. I received the sixteen-month suspension because I had three Whereabout failures. Those failures are on me.

“I am responsible for following the rules completely and I feel [sure] of that. It really is that simple. Do I wish I had done something a bit different and that I had been more careful? Absolutely! Accountability matters and I want the community to understand that it isn’t just USADA holding me accountable, I am holding myself accountable as well.”

“I accepted the suspension without appeal because it was the right thing to do. I was in the wrong. I’d also like to make certain that other athletes use my mistakes as an example of what can happen when you allow yourself to be distracted from the responsibilities that come with the incredible privilege of being a U.S. National Team member.

“We can certainly debate policies and procedures that are used in these circumstances, but I believe in what USADA is doing. I personally want to compete in a clean sport and I want all other athletes to be able to compete in an environment with a level playing field. Again, based upon some of the comments that were clearly brought on by my previous statement, l’d like to tell everyone that throughout this process USADA and its representatives have been nothing but understanding, gracious, and as helpful as they could be. USADA has a job to do, and I should have been clearer with my statement and provided all the details or none at all. To USADA, I apologize for inadvertently placing the organization in a bad light. It was undeserved and I appreciate the professionalism the organization has shown me throughout this process.

“One thing I certainly got right in my previous statement is that I am going to keep working and doing everything possible to represent Team USA at the LA 2028 Olympics. Thank you again to everyone for your amazing support. I will continue to learn and grow throughout the suspension but make no mistake – I will see you all in 2026!”

Moldauer said he’ll be “back in January 2026,” which means he’ll miss all of the 2025 season, including this year’s individual world championships. Nearly eight years ago, the now-28-year-old won his sole individual world medal at the Montreal 2017 individual worlds, when he took home bronze on floor.

USA Gymnastics commented on his original Instagram post, saying, “We can’t wait to see you back out there! (& we know you’ll still be the greatest hype man!)”

The National Governing Body for gymnastics shared an additional statement with Gymnastics Now, saying, “Anti-doping whereabouts requirements are rigorous and are an important part of ensuring clean sport within the Olympic movement. We share Yul’s disappointment that he will serve a period of ineligibility and we look forward to him returning to competition.”

Yul Moldauer’s original statement on 16-month USADA suspension

“I want to personally share some important news with you before it becomes public.

I have received a 16-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) due to a whereabouts violation. I want to be absolutely clear: I have never tested positive for any banned substances in my career. For over a decade, I have proudly upheld the values of clean sport and fair competition.

This suspension stems from missing three required whereabouts updates within a 12-month period. The first two tests were missed due to competitions, where they had drug testing stations, which I passed. The third violation happened after the Olympic Trials, as I was processing the disappointment of missing out on my second Olympic Games.

During that time, I took a short break to reset mentally and physically. While in Florida, I was in the area but not at the exact location I had listed when a tester arrived, when I got in contact with the test officer, I was 45 minutes away and told him I was in the car and ready to drive and meet him, but he said he had only 15 minutes to wait, which resulted in my third missed test.

This experience has been incredibly difficult, but it has also given me the chance to reflect, grow, and come back stronger. I am now in a better mental and physical place and more determined than ever to continue pursuing my goals.

This setback does not define me. My focus remains on rebuilding trust, staying dedicated to the sport I love, and working tirelessly to represent Team USA at the LA 2028 Olympics.

I am committed to upholding the highest standards of athletic integrity and look forward to returning to competition stronger and wiser.

To my family, friends, sponsors, and fans, thank you for standing by me. Your support means everything and fuels my determination to rise above this.”

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