McDowald’s membership to USA Fencing has been terminated for five years following multiple violations of USA Fencing’s Code of Conduct and Athlete Code of Conduct, according to a notice USA Fencing emailed to members Aug. 29.
McDowald, 29, will be eligible to apply for reinstatement Aug. 29, 2030 subject to approval by the USA Fencing Grievance and Disciplinary Committee and the USA Fencing Board of Directors, according to the notice. The notice said the Grievance and Disciplinary Committee issued the decision in the disciplinary matter.
In 2023, McDowald was temporarily suspended for allegations of misconduct, according to the U.S. Center for SafeSport website.
SafeSport is an independent body tasked by Congress with protecting athletes in the Olympic movement.
In 2023, McDowald’s behavior undermined the chances of the men’s epee team to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. During the final touch of Team USA’s semifinal bout in the Pan-American Senior Games, McDowald kicked a freestanding banner near the strip, “among other actions,’’ according to a press release issued at the time by USA Fencing.
The actions resulted in Team USA being awarded no qualifying points for the Paris Olympics. The men’s epee team did not qualify for the Paris Olympics.