Tags:
Journalism of Courage
WHY THEY DO IT
Drugs can reduce body fat, recovery time after injury, and give an athlete a dramatic performance boost: In an Olympics the difference between first and last place8212;in the 100 m sprint8212;is usually just 0.3 secs.
THE LAWS
The International Olympic Committee IOC says banned substances found in men should not be more than 2 nanogrammes/ml and for women 5 nanogrammes/ml
THE FAVOURITES
Nandrolone: Taken orally, it8217;s used by swimmers and athletes. Famous culprits: Marion Jones, Linford Christie, Merlene Ottey, Petr Korda
Androstenedione: Injected, it8217;s a steroid hormone that builds muscles fast
Erythroprotein: Injected by track-and-field athletes to enrich their blood
Tetrahydrogestrinone: Called designer steroids, they are injected to help reduce fatigue and increase power
Diuretics: Pills used to mask other drugs and help become lighter in weight-based events like weightlifting
PENALTY
Varies in each discipline
What8217;s common: Being thrown out of the Games Village
What8217;s not: The period of ban. In weightlifting, two years; in swimming between one and four years
INDIA: WOEFULLY UNPREPARED
The only drug-testing lab is at the Sports Authority of India8217;s Delhi centre, but it isn8217;t recognised internationally. The lab does not abide by international norms and so the IOC does not recognise it. There are 32 accredited laboratories worldwide.
