Opinion The straight dope

CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator) was found to have been used in the Beijing Olympics,as WADA later found. They stripped athletes of their medals and punished them,but prior to this,erythropoietin,also known as EPO,was the common blood booster used. Human growth hormone (HGH) is another substance being used now,but its detection process is still to be worked out by WADA. From veterinary drugs like clenbuterol in the1992 Olympics,herbal medicines like ephedra,mua huang and yohimbine,to designer steroids like tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) ,new lists are created every year by WADA. But the new era of gene transfer technology (GTT) is expected to gradually render dope testing control systems obsolete; GTT could increase muscle growth by as much as 28 per cent.

Doping is a major ethical,educational,financial,health and management problem and governments have a poor track record in controlling its spread. India too,instead of systematically investing in building sportspersons,has failed to check the rampant use of drugs in the quest for immediate results. Indian sportspersons have been caught in the 1986 Asian Games,the Auckland Commonwealth Games in 1990,and many other international and domestic events. This year,as we host the Commonwealth Games,18 people have already been indicted for doping. Methylhexanamine (MHA),a new salt added in the 2010 list after five Jamaican sprinters were found positive in 2009,has been the crux of the scandal. In the Indian market,it is not available as a decongestant,and it is suspicious that coaches and medical personnel would order it online from elsewhere. It is also known as a party pill,since it boosts energy and metabolic rate,and improves speed and reaction time. However,in higher doses,it could cause hypertension or strokes.

At the Sydney Olympics,2167 athletes out of the 2758 tested declared a medicine or supplement. Of these,542 were taking six to seven preparations a day and one athlete was taking 26 different preparations. Also,ergogenic aids and nutritional supplements are aggressively marketed to athletes,and many are deliberately or inadvertently adulterated. Out of all the nutritional supplements flooding the worldwide market,the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has only taken a stance on banning three herbal preparations. Greater direction is needed.

Some blame foreign coaches for supplying these drugs in order to boost performance and have their contracts renewed. But finally,the onus of any product found in the body lies with sportspersons,though anyone abetting or encouraging this use is equally punishable under the WADA code. The coach,manager,doctor or federation involved also needs to be penalised.

The lack of knowledge of the WADA prohibited list is another big problem,as sportspersons go

to GPs for minor illnesses and injuries,and are thus drawn into the doping net. I am reminded of a young wrestler who was sent by a federation official to a particular specialist who prescribed an antibiotic which also contained the masking agent probenacid,and had to miss the world championship for no fault of his. In this Commonwealth Games case too,it might be that a dietary supplement which contained MHA was inadvertently taken — but there must be an inquiry to ascertain who supplied it and with what intention. Either way,WADA rules are strict — for sportspersons,ignorance is not bliss.

The writer is former head of the sports medicine department at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports,Patiala

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