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BBC investigation alleges Olympic EPO tests inadequate

| 2008-07-22 10:38:57 | bear

A recent BBC investigation uncovered significant concerns over the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) handling of Olympic drug tests, specifically test ...

A recent BBC investigation uncovered significant concerns over the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) handling of Olympic drug tests, specifically test for recombinant erythropoietin (EPO). The investigation alleges that the threshold for declaring a positive EPO allows dopers too much leeway.

EPO is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body, producing red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Taking artificial EPO increases red blood cell production beyond natural levels, giving cheaters a boost to their aerobic capacity and endurance.

EPO has been the hot topic as several riders in the Tour de France were disqualified after the agent showed up in their drug tests. The NCAA also lists EPO as a banned drug.

According to the BBC, after the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, many athletes who tested positive for EPO challenged the results in court. Many athletes who initially tested positive in 2000 were found innocent when a second sample was tested.

In 2004, WADA tightened the criteria used to determine a positive EPO test. As a result of WADA's action, fewer court lawsuits have been waged, but there has been a significant decrease in the number of athletes testing positive for EPO. According to the BBC, "the numbers of athletes being prosecuted for EPO use has declined significantly - by two-thirds between 2003 and 2006."

Although mostly anecdotal, the accusations in the BBC article are damming. In one instance, Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard who runs the anti-doping program for the International Ski Federation and for the Astana Cycling team submitted known EPO positive samples to a WADA lab. They all came back negative. "But when Dr Damsgaard demanded the gels or electronic printouts on which the determination of guilt or innocence was made, he was astonished to see what he believed was clear evidence of EPO use."

Professor Bengt Saltin, who is a winner of the IOC Olympic Prize, the highest honor in sports science, also believes the WADA tests leave too much room for cheaters. "The reason that I am still a little bit upset with the whole situation is that I have seen too many suspicious samples that are clearly abnormal," he told the BBC. "Athletes are getting away with it."

Drug testing is never foolproof. Athletes that want to get around restrictions often find a way, but the EPO thresholds adopted by WADA seem to allow more room than necessary. What do you think? Does WADA do enough to detect EPO in Olympic athletes?