Olympics set to introduce new drugs test

Anti-doping chiefs have dropped a big hint that competitors at next month’s Olympics will be tested for human growth hormone (hGH) for the first time.

Officials at the world anti-doping agency WADA have refused to confirm whether athletes’ samples will be screened for hGH – which works in the same way as steroids – believing that it is better to keep drug cheats guessing.

However, in their annual report published this week, WADA confirm that a test to detect excess human growth hormone has been finalised, whereas research on some blood doping tests is “well underway“.

The report states: “The research funded by the agency to date has already yielded significant results. For example, five research groups collectively receiving $1m (€820,000) from WADA have developed methods to detect recombinant human growth hormone when used to enhance athletic performance. These groups worked throughout 2003 to finalise a test that will detect hGH external to what is naturally produced by the body.

“In addition, significant progress was made in research on blood doping, including haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and blood transfusion, whereby an athlete receives compatible blood from a donor just prior to competition. Work is well under way to finalise detection methods for these types of blood doping, with implementation foreseen in the near future.”

The report adds weight to the belief by Professor Peter Sonksen, the British scientist who led the development of the test, that the time is right for WADA to introduce it for Athens.

Sonksen said: “I believe that we are ready to introduce a test for growth hormone now. WADA want to be sure that it would stand up to a court case and I am sure that it would.”

The report also highlights WADA’s struggle in obtaining the funding that has been promised by governments – last year they missed out on a quarter of their expected funding and had to shelve several research projects.

It says: “In 2003, WADA received approximately 75% of its budgeted income. The late payment of government contributions resulted in a reduction of activities from May to July and in the postponement of all payments of new research grants to the end of November.”