Anti-doping news

IAAF steps up drug-testing in Turkey

Associated Press, STEPHEN WILSON, Jul 09, 2013 15:55 LONDON (AP) - Track and field's world governing body has stepped up its drug-testing program in Turkey amid reports of dozens of positive cases that could damage Istanbul's bid for the 2020 Olympics. The International Association of Athletics Federations said Tuesday it "intensified" its testing in Turkey following abnormal blood-profile results that have already resulted in doping cases against some of the country's top athletes. IAAF spokesman Nick Davies issued a statement to The Associated Press following a report on the website of Britain's Daily Telegraph that a large number of Turkish athletes tested positive ahead of last month's Mediterranean Games in the Turkish city of Mersin. The Telegraph said the number of positive cases could run into the dozens, possibly as many as 30. The report said the athletes failed tests on their "A'' samples and were awaiting the results of the backup "B'' samples. Under IAAF rules, a doping case is announced only after a "B'' sample confirms the initial positive finding. "The IAAF is aware of media speculation surrounding the recent anti-doping control tests, in and out of competition, of a number of Turkish athletes," Davies said. "Following concerns highlighted by abnormal biological passport values, the IAAF with the national anti-doping agency intensified the testing program in Turkey." Davies said the results "remain on-going in accordance with IAAF rules." He said the IAAF won't make any further comment until the proceedings are completed. Turkey has been hit by a spate of recent doping cases, dealing a blow to the country's image as Istanbul competes against Tokyo and Madrid to host the 2020 Olympics. The IOC will select the host city on Sept. 7. Turkey's bid has also been affected by the anti-government demonstrations in the country and the police crackdown on protesters. Last month, eight Turkish track and field athletes - including 2004 Olympic hammer silver medalist Esref Apak - and eight Turkish weightlifters were caught for doping. In May, Olympic 1,500-meter champion Asli Cakir Alptekin and two-time European 100-meter hurdles champion Nevin Yanit were charged with doping violations. The IAAF said Alptekin had abnormal blood values in her biological profile, while Yanit had "multiple positive findings." Following Tuesday's report, Turkey's national Olympic committee said it is "taking this matter very seriously" and "urgently reviewing all alleged and any confirmed doping cases involving Turkish athletes." The committee maintained that Turkey has a "zero-tolerance policy" on doping and said the national anti-doping agency has worked closely with the IAAF and World Anti-Doping Agency on recent cases. "Any athletes found guilty of using banned substances will be punished to the full extent of Turkey's comprehensive anti-doping legislation, other laws, and in accordance with international anti-doping practices," the statement said. The report of new doping cases comes a month before the world athletics championships in Moscow. The Telegraph suggested that the scandal could lead the IAAF to suspend the Turkish federations and bar its athletes from the championships, which start on Aug.

Mexico City Laboratory Latest to be Accredited by WADA

At its recent meeting, WADA's Executive Committee approved the accreditation of a new laboratory in Mexico City for anti-doping analysis, pending provision of final documentation. The Mexican laboratory successfully completed WADA’s accreditation requirements, finalizing a process that began in late 2011. To receive accreditation from WADA, candidate laboratories must meet the highest quality standards, as established in the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL). The Agency’s laboratory accreditation process includes site visits, participation in WADA’s External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) as monitored by WADA’s Laboratory Expert Group, and ISO assessment by independent accreditation bodies. “We welcome the Mexico City laboratory as the 33rd WADA accredited laboratory in the world” said WADA President John Fahey. “We look forward to the significant contributions this laboratory will make in its anti-doping analytical capacities, both in the Central American and Caribbean regions and as part of WADA’s global network.” Two recent candidates for WADA’s laboratory accreditation process include a laboratory in Doha (Qatar) and in Ankara (Turkey). See the Agency’s Web site for more information on WADA’s laboratory accreditation process, EQAS and ISL, and for the full list of WADA accredited

New Threshold Level for Cannabis

At its May 11 meeting WADA’s Executive Committee decided to increase the threshold level for cannabis following consideration of the many submissions received from stakeholders during the Code review process. Accordingly, the Technical Document on Decision Limits for the Confirmatory Quantification of Threshold Substances (TD2013DL) has been revised to reflect the applicable modifications affecting compliance decisions for Carboxy-THC. Version 2.0 of the TD2013DL is effective as of May 11, 2013, and can be found on WADA’s Web site. All samples received by laboratories post-May 11 will be subject to the new threshold level. As a matter of fairness and to provide consistency, WADA advises not to pursue cases currently in the results management phase where the reported concentration is less than the new threshold (150 ng/mL). Also, for any analyses conducted from May 11 onwards, laboratories are requested not to report any THC case result below the acceptable threshold, regardless of the sample receipt date. Source:

WADA to offer smartphone App for athlete “whereabouts” reporting

Mobility of new App facilitates athletes’ submission of whereabouts details and update notifications. In an ongoing effort to support athletes and doping-free sport, WADA will introduce a free whereabouts App for smartphones in the third quarter of 2013. The new App is an extension of WADA’s whereabouts module (ADAMS), and will be available to more than 25,000 athletes worldwide to facilitate compliance with the anti-doping rules of their International Sport Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization. This will be of particular interest to those athletes in a registered testing pool who have specific anti-doping responsibilities regarding the provision of whereabouts information to support out-of-competition testing. The whereabouts App will be available on two commonly used platforms: iPhone and Android. Using their smartphone, athletes can enter, check, change and submit their whereabouts details at any time with just a few clicks. Using mobile notifications, it also helps the athletes to remember their obligations to submit whereabouts, including the relevant deadlines to do so. “The App provides athletes an easy, accessible way to report their whereabouts and remain in observance of the relevant regulations, thereby demonstrating their commitment to clean sport,” says David Howman, WADA’s Director General. “Everyone benefits from this efficient solution, and we are pleased to offer the App.” Originally launched in 2012 by the Dutch Doping Authority (DDA) for their own athletes, the App represents the successful collaboration between the DDA, InnoSportNL, NOC*NSF and CGI, and addresses a shared need by all athletes for greater mobility in whereabouts reporting. For their work on the Dutch whereabouts App, CGI was nominated for the 2013 Dutch TIM Awards presented by CIO Magazine. For more information on athletes whereabouts, please consult our Questions & Answers. Source:

WADA statement on substance AOD-9604

Following a number of inquiries regarding the substance AOD-9604 available on the Internet ‘black market’ and possibly elsewhere, WADA has issued the following statement: AOD-9604 is a substance still under pre-clinical and clinical development and has not been approved for therapeutic use by any government health authority in the world. Therefore, under the 2013 Prohibited Substances and Methods List, the substance falls into the S.0 category which states: “S0. NON-APPROVED SUBSTANCES Any pharmacological substance which is not addressed by any of the subsequent sections of the List and with no current approval by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use (e.g drugs under pre-clinical or clinical development or discontinued, designer drugs, substances approved only for veterinary use) is prohibited at all times.” For more advice and information regarding medication or supplements, athletes are advised to contact their national anti-doping organization or international federation. To access the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, please click here Source:

WARNING: HEALTH RISK OF SUPPLEMENT

It has come to WADA’s attention that the black market substance GW501516 is being sold to and used by some athletes. The side effect of this chemical compound is so serious that WADA is taking the rare step of warning “cheats” to ensure that there is complete awareness of the possible health risks to athletes who succumb to the temptation of using GW501516 for performance enhancement. GW501516 was a developmental drug that was withdrawn from research by the pharmaceutical company and terminated when serious toxicities were discovered in pre-clinical studies. Clinical approval has not, and will not be given for this substance. However, GW501516 has been available for some months on the black market, through the Internet and elsewhere. Anti-Doping authorities have already seen its use by athletes, as there are a number of positive cases. Source: