IOC OKs key test for banned drug

Lausanne, August 28: The race to have a legally approved test for the banned performance enhancing drug EPO has been won and athletes will...

Lausanne, August 28: The race to have a legally approved test for the banned performance enhancing drug EPO has been won and athletes will be tested for the drug at the Sydney Olympics, the International Olympic Committee IOC announced here on Monday.

Two separately-developed French and Australian detection tests will be used 8212; one involving urine the other blood. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said it was another key victory in the fight against cheats. quot;This is a very important step forward,quot; said Samaranch.

EPO is one of the most popular illegal drugs amongst athletes. Prince Alexandre de Merode, head of the IOC8217;s medical commission, warned that any athlete who refused to take the joint blood-urine test would be thrown out of the Games.

quot;It is very simple. No one is forced to compete. We have our rules and it is also in the constitution that they must take the test. If they don8217;t they are out,quot; said De Merode.

IOC executive board member Jacques Rogge added that anyone who refused the test would be considered guilty of doping. quot;This new test is a major breakthrough. It is a very fine day for us,quot; said Rogge. quot;Of course there will be legal action taken against us by athletes who test positive but we are sure we will have the full backing of any judge should the case go to court,quot; he added.

The final OK to approve the tests came from the IOC Judicial Commission which decided that the tests could be defended in a court of law if any athlete tried to challenge the findings. The IOC medical commission and a team of seven outside scientists recently concluded that the Australian test for the performance-enhancing drug EPO, or erythropoietin, based on blood sampling, could not be reliably used on its own.

But in conjunction with the French method, which is based on urine sampling, the two were complementary and could be reliably used to detect EPO. EPO, which is currently undetectable, boosts the body8217;s red blood cell count, enhancing the blood8217;s ability to transport oxygen to the muscles, thereby enhancing muscle performance and increasing stamina.

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More than 2,500 drug tests will be carried out during the Sydney Olympics. Four hundred of them will be for EPO. The drug is used mostly by athletes in endurance events. quot;The out of competition tests will be carried out all over Australia. There will be no hiding,quot; said Rogge. quot;The moment an athlete steps foot in the country he is liable to be tested anytime,quot; he added.

Unlike previous dope tests where an A8217; sample and a B8217; sample were needed, only one sample will be needed to get an EPO result.

AFP