Ten Athletes Have Suspicious Drug Test Results
Sept. 7, 2000--
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ At least 10 athletes have recorded suspected positive tests for banned drugs in out-of-competition controls before the Sydney Olympics.
Those cases have arisen since the World Anti-Doping Agency began conducting unannounced tests in April as part of a new effort to weed out drug cheats, WADA secretary general Harry Salvasamy said Friday.
One athlete, an unidentified cyclist from Britain, has officially been confirmed as positive, while the others are still under investigation for "indications of possible positive or irregular results," Salvasamy said.
It's up to the international sports federations to confirm and announce the test results, he said. In some cases, the backup "B" samples have yet to be tested or further clarifications are needed.
The world agency was set up by the International Olympic Committee this year to coordinate a global system of no-notice out-of-competition testing, considered the most effective way of catching drug users.
Salvasamy said 1,811 tests have been carried out so far, with a total of more than 2,000 to be completed by the time the Olympics open Sept. 15. Lab results have been completed for 1,200 tests.
During the games, the IOC will control drug-testing, which will be monitored by WADA.
"One of the reasons is to ensure that the whole doping control is fair and seen to be fair," Salvasamy said.
The IOC is conducting a total of more than 3,000 tests before and during the games, both in and out of competition. These include between 300 and 500 blood and urine tests for EPO, the performance-enhancer of choice for endurance athletes.
IOC medical director Patrick Schamasch said the new EPO tests would focus on top-ranked athletes in long-distance running, cycling, triathlon, swimming and modern pentathlon.
On Wednesday, China dropped 27 athletes and 13 coaches from its Olympic team after blood tests. The Chinese rowing association confirmed that seven rowers failed tests for EPO, while the Chinese Olympic Committee said other athletes were cut due to "some suspicious cases in the blood test" or injury problems.
On Thursday, a team official from Uzbekistan was stopped after customs officials found vials of suspected human growth hormone in his luggage at Sydney's airport. If the substance is the banned drug, the official would be expelled from the games by the IOC.
(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV 09-07-00 1635MDT
