The para fencer tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a urinary metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, marijuana, and hashish, above the urinary decision limit, as the result of a sample collected in-competition at the 2025 Para Fencing World Cup event in Brazil last February.
Cannabis, marijuana, and hashish are specified substances in the class of cannabinoids and are prohibited in-competition under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policies, and the World Abilitysport Anti-Doping Code, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
THC is classified under a special category that allows for a reduced three-month sanction if the athlete establishes that their use of the substance occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sports performance. The sanction may be further reduced to one month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a treatment programme approved by USADA.
Reeve’s period of ineligibility was reduced to one month because his use of cannabis occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sports performance, and because he completed a substance abuse treatment programme regarding his use of cannabis. His one-month period of ineligibility is the minimum allowed under the rules and began on 5 May 5 2025, the date he was provisionally suspended. In addition, Reeve has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained in February, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Reeve trains in Bakersfield, California and took up para-fencing in 2022 after a motorcycle crash. He competes in the men’s foil and sabre, and has earned silver and bronze medals in US Parafencing National Championships for both events. While he hadn’t earned enough points for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, he’s hoping to qualify for the next Summer Games in Los Angeles.
