FINA Will Test For rEPO and Related Substances in Moscow

[Bazza]

FINA Will Test For rEPO and Related Substances in Moscow

26-Feb-2002

Press Release
Lausanne, SUI - FINA announced today that testing for the presence of the synthetic hormone erythropoietin (rEPO) and related substances would take place in conjunction with the 6th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) to be held in Moscow (RUS) from April 3-7, 2002.

FINA will conduct tests both during the Championships and prior to the competition. rEPO causes an increased production of red blood cells thereby enhancing the bloods ability to transport oxygen. Testing for rEPO and related substances typically involves the collection of both blood and urine samples and was first conducted at the Sydney Olympic Games. This will be the first time such testing has taken place at a FINA World Championships.

"We are determined to protect the athletes' fundamental rights to drug-free competition" said Dr. Andrew Pipe, Chairman of the FINA Doping Control Review Board. "The most effective testing is out-of-competition testing and that is why the programme for the Moscow World Championships will include tests conducted prior to the competition as well as in Moscow." Athletes will be asked to consent to the collection of a small amount of blood in addition to providing a urine sample. Blood samples will be screened initially on-site and urine samples will be analysed in an IOC accredited laboratory.

Testing for rEPO and related substances will become a part of the year-round testing programmes of FINA. 1544 tests (in and out-of competition) were conducted around the world in 2001 as part of FINA's campaign against drug use in sport.

[Chris]

Is that the substance that 3 or 4 of the Winter Olympics athletes were tested positive for?

[Bazza]

I think so, though I heard that Johann 'I was guided by aliens' Muehlegg was positive for a more powerful supplement. Apparently it's something given to chronic kidney failure sufferers. A couple of others did have too many red blood cells, which I believe is basically the cause of EPO. The controversy with Muehlegg is that apparently he tested negative before the games, and after the first two races where he won gold, as on '100' other occasions, yet he was positive after the final race. Why would someone with a long (and presumably successful) career in a sport cheat before a race when he's already won two olympic gold medals the week previous? He wouldn't. He either cheated all along or not at all, and it's controversies like this sport could do without. Of course due tothe reasons above, he's allowed to keep two golsd medals, but not the third. Similar to that Romanian gymnast in Sydney who was stripped of one medal not the other. It needs to be sorted out once and for all. Fortunately swimming hasn't been the centre of any of these controversies in recent times, and I hope it stays that way!

[lane4]

Was it not Aranesp that the folks at the Winter Games got done for? If not, that is apparently the drug of choice now. The cheats have moved on from EPO to "Nesp" (as its known to those who take it) which is 10 times as powerful. I have read that it is commonly used in in the cycling, the worlds most drug abused sport.

[Bazza]

I believe Aranesp is this 'kidney' drug. I just didn't know what it was called.:p