|
|
|
| March 10, 2002 | Sunday | Zilhaj 25, 1422 |
Blood tests to be carried out: FIFA
ZURICH, March 9: FIFA are set to add random blood doping tests to existing urine tests at the upcoming World Cup for the first time, an official with football’s world governing body said Saturday.
Under existing regulations players are chosen at random to submit urine samples for analysis after matches.
However the addition of blood tests, on two players chosen at random from each team during every match, has been welcomed as a necessary step against doping in football.
“This possibility (of doing blood tests) came to light in February when we held discussions at a doping prevention workshop in Tokyo,” the Belgian president of FIFA’s medical commission Michel D’Hooghe told AFP Saturday.
“The 32 medical representatives from the qualified teams welcomed the proposal enthusiastically.”
Mimicking existing procedures by international Olympic and cycling authorities, FIFA’s blood tests will be carried out to determine haemoglobin (red blood cell) levels prior to competition.
The legal threshold for males is 17.5 (grammes per decilitre of blood). A result on or above that level would suggest the use of a substance which boosts red blood cell levels.
EPO (erythropoietin) or darbepoetin (Nesp), normally used by endurance athletes, are two such substances and act by increasing oxygenation of muscles via the proliferation of red blood cells.
If a player returns a positive test (17.5 or over), a second analysis of the blood sample will be carried out at an accredited laboratory in Los Angeles or Paris.
If the blood test is negative, analysis of the subsequent urine sample — all of which will be done on site if it is not being analysed for EPO — will focus on alternative substances.
“The logic behind these tests is not up for discussion,” insisted D’Hooghe.
“Especially after the Salt Lake Olympics (where three athletes tested positive for darbepoetin following initial pre-competition blood tests), even if it’s not always practical due to the difficult climatic conditions.”—AFP
|
|
|
|
