New dope test method aids Beijing in hosting clean Olympics
1/8/2008 17:53
A new Olympic doping test method, along with other stringent anti-doping
measures, will help Beijing host a clean Olympics, according to a Chinese
anti-doping officials.
"The new test kits will track the use of human growth
hormone (HGH), a substance that boosts strength and speeds recovery, beyond 48
hours," said Wu Moutian, deputy director of the Chinese Anti-doping
Agency.
The new HGH test methods have been improved from the old ones used in
previous Games, Wu said, but he refused to disclose the exact tracking period,
citing that the information could be used to time the use of the drug.
The
HGH test method has been approved by the International Olympic Committee. It was
certified by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) in July, Wu said.
"The
equipments are ready, and the lab staff are well-trained," he said.
The
Olympic doping testing period began from July 27 and will run until the Games
end.
A total of 4,500 doping controls, including 900 blood tests, are planned
in Beijing, about 25 percent rise from those in Athens which produced 26 doping
cases.
Forty-one doping control centers are planned for the upcoming Games,
with 34 in Beijing. The top five in the events and two randomly-selected
athletes will be tested for banned substances like steroids and
blood-boosters.
At least one IOC medical representative, a WADA observer and
a representative of the sports federations are present at each center when the
athletes are tested.
"A clean Games doesn't mean there will be no drug use,
but we will make sure that the rule-breakers are discovered," said Chen Zhiyu,
an anti-doping official in the Games organizing committee.
"We have strict
regulations and standards in accordance with IOC rules, and we have been
improving our work to form an impeccable chain of security," he said.
At each
center, urine samples are placed in two different containers. Once sealed, they
can only be opened in the lab, so chances of swapping the samples will be
minimized, said Chen.
Mirrors are placed on bathroom walls and those tested
will be asked to roll up their sleeves to prevent cheats, he added.
All
collected specimen are marked, put into suitcases and taken by guarded vehicles
to a laboratory near the main Olympic venues. The whole process is closely
watched.
"We also try not to make the athletes feel overburdened by the
tests," he said, "those whose events are scheduled late in the day can take
their tests back in the residential village, rather than in the competition
venues, so that they can directly go back to rest," Chen said.
John Fahey,
the WADA president, said preparation has been sound to make the Beijing Games a
clean one.
"Doping cheats are more likely to be caught in Beijing than in any
other Olympics in its history," he said.
"There have been enormous efforts
made by China. They have the resources and a world-class laboratory. I have
little doubt that they will make real efforts as they had in recent months in
the preparation," said Fahey, according to a video clip on the WADA
website.
Xinhua
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