INDEPTH: DRUGS
The Truth Behind Drug Testing
CBC News Online | June 10, 2004
Drug testing in sport has become a very serious matter, warranting international attention with the formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency. In Canada, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport regulates doping control and programs to educate athletes about drug-free sport.
The CCES defines doping in sport as "the use by an athlete of a substance or method banned by the International Olympic Committee, or prohibited by an International Sport Governing Body."
The process of determining whether or not the athlete has been exposed to a banned substance is no easy task for the athlete or for the technicians.
Paul Melia, the CEO of CCES, told CBC News Online that there are two screenings that the athlete must go through successfully before being allowed to compete. These include full and partial screenings.
The partial screenings are usually random and unannounced, and conducted while the athlete is out of competition. It may be done in the athlete's home, at the gym, or elsewhere through urine samples. These tests usually only include steroid and illicit drug testing.
The full screenings are done immediately after the athlete competes and can include blood as well as urine testing. Tests are conducted for steroids, stimulants, diuretics and all other banned and restricted substances.
Blood testing is fairly new to drug testing in sport. It is only since the emergence of erythropoietin, or EPO, a drug that increases the oxygen flow to the blood to increase muscle endurance, that blood testing has been used. Even today, blood testing is usually done only at competitions that require endurance and stamina, such as cross-country skiing and cycling. It was used at both the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney.
Of all of the drug tests that occur in the sports world, 80 per cent occur out of competition in random, unannounced tests, while only 20 per cent of total drug tests occur at competition.
What do they test for?
The banned substances noted by the CCES include:
- stimulants (e.g. amphetamines)
- narcotics (e.g. painkillers)
- anabolic Agents (e.g. steroids, testosterone)
- diuretics (e.g. frusemide)
- peptide hormones, mimetics and analogues (e.g. EPO)
Other substances are permitted but restricted to small doses. These include:
- local anaesthetics
- asthma and respiratory ailment drugs
- glucocorticosteroids (used for arthritis or to reduce inflammation)
- caffeine
- beta-blockers (heart and blood-pressure medication)
- alcohol
- cannabinoids (marijuana)
There are other methods of doping outlined by the CCES that are banned in sport. These include blood doping (oxygenating the blood), or manipulation of urine samples.
How accurate are the tests?
The tests are extremely accurate and efficient in detecting narcotics and steroids in athletes. Canadian rower Silken Laumann and three teammates were stripped of a gold medal at the 1995 Pan-American Games after she tested positive after taking a banned over-the-counter cold medicine.
Athletes have taken nutritional supplements that they believe to be steroid-free, but do contain substances that convert to nandrolones when ingested. Cross-contamination in the production stage of supplements is also possible. Although supplements that contain steroids are illegal in Canada, they can be found easily in the U.S. Melia also says that steroids may be contained in supplements on Canadian shelves but in small, disguised amounts.
Some meats that were injected with steroids or vitamins can alter nandrolone levels, and women who take oral contraceptives are more likely to have higher levels of testosterone, which, in a drug test, could suggest steroid use. Others simply get too excited during competitions and their natural hormone levels go up.
There are lots of ways that inaccurate results can occur. However, Melia says, "Athletes are ultimately responsible for anything that is found in their bodies."
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| NEWS ARCHIVE: |
Canadian cyclist fails blood test (Oct. 11, 2003)
Ben Johnson 'scapegoat,' says Canadian gold medallist (April 18, 2003)
Manitoba high school plans drug testing (Nov. 9, 2002)
Beef not source of Guest's steroid: cattlemen (Aug. 31, 2002)
Canadian triathlete faces four-year ban (July 30, 2002)
Canadian leaves Commonwealth Games after failing drug test (July 26, 2002)
Supplements can lead to failed drug tests, IOC finds (April 4, 2002)
British Olympic slalom medallist fails drug test (March 5, 2002)
Tests raise suspicion more athletes using EPO (Aug. 8, 2001)
Doping testers target gene therapy (Jan. 25, 2001)
Former Banesto rider confesses to taking EPO (Oct. 26, 2000)
Cycling star admits to doping in Festina trial (Oct. 24, 2000)
IOC to crackdown on EPO (Sep. 12, 2000)
China cuts seven athletes for positive EPO tests (Sep. 5, 2000)
Olympic organizers rush to find EPO test (July 28, 2000)
Doping still a problem in cycling (June 30, 2000)
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| MEDIA: |
 CBC Radio's Teddy Katz reports from Manchester on Canadian athletes and their fears surrounding the supplements they say must take to compete. (July 29, 2002 Runs 3:21)
On As It Happens, Bernard St. Laurent speaks to Paul Devillers, Secretary of State for Amateur Sport who says athletes are responsible for finding out what is in the supplements they take. (Runs 7:06)
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