Latest news with #WorldAnti-DopingCode
Euronews
4 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
Euronews Tech Talks Podcast
In January 2013, the world of sports was shaken by an interview conducted by the American powerhouse broadcaster Oprah Winfrey with the cycling champion Lance Armstrong. Armstrong, who had won seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005, publicly admitted using banned substances to enhance his performance during official competitions, confirming long-standing suspicions that had followed him for years. Armstrong left a mark on the history of doping. As a cancer survivor, his achievements represented a sign of hope and resilience, and what happened next was described by many as the fall of a hero. It goes without saying that Armstrong's case was neither the first nor the last doping scandal. But why exactly do athletes resort to doping? What substances do they use, and why are they so difficult to detect? Euronews Tech Talks set out to better understand doping with Andrea Petróczi, professor of public health at Kingston University in the United Kingdom. She also regularly provides consultancy to the World Anti-Doping Agency. What is doping? Petróczi said that researchers have not yet agreed on the exact definition of doping. However, she said the World Anti-Doping Code provides clear rules for athletes to understand what doping is and who can be accused of it. 'Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rules violations set forth in Article 2.1 through Article 2.11 of the Code,' the Code states. There are 11 anti-doping rule violations, which include not only the use of substances but also the attempted use of these agents. Moreover, even if an athlete did not intend to cheat, they can still face sanctions if a banned substance is found in their system. Some of these rules apply not only to the athletes but also to their support personnel. According to the Code, any substance or method that meets two out of three criteria is classified as prohibited. These criteria are: evidence that the substance enhances performance, evidence that it poses a health risk, and evidence that it goes against the spirit of sport. Based on these criteria, 'a substance doesn't necessarily have to be performance-enhancing to be prohibited". Petróczi said. "If it's deemed risky to the athlete's health and against the spirit of sport, then it can be added to the list,' she added. The most well-known doping substances are EPO and anabolic steroids. EPO, or erythropoietin, is a hormone produced by the kidneys to stimulate the production of red blood cells, helping transport oxygen to the muscles. It is commonly used in sports like marathons or cycling, as it boosts endurance. By contrast, anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds similar to testosterone that promote muscle growth, and they are used in sprint or weight lifting competitions. Caffeine was also considered a prohibited substance and was reintroduced only in 2004. Although now allowed, it has since then been on the World Anti-Doping Agency's monitoring programme. Is doping too difficult to detect? Andrea Petróczi stated that 'doping is not difficult to detect because the detection limit is low'. However, she acknowledged the major challenges in detecting doping and argued that they depend on multiple factors, including whether the anti-doping authorities know or not about the substance being used and the timing of the doping test. For instance, Petróczi explained that microdoses of prohibited substances are complicated to identify, not because of their small amount, but because they remain in the body for only a short time. This makes them hard to identify unless testing occurs within a narrow window. She also pointed out that given the advancements in equipment, diets and training, it is more difficult to understand the limit between excellent preparation and the use of doping substances. 'In the future, what poses a challenge for anti-doping is not a new drug necessarily," Petróczi said. "But the combination of the existing drugs with data science, with specialised training, with equipment, each providing a marginal gain, but in combination, the synergistic effect,' she added.
AsiaOne
25-05-2025
- Sport
- AsiaOne
China urges sports bodies to reject 'gladiator show' Enhanced Games, China News
The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has denounced the Enhanced Games on Friday (May 23) and called on the global sports community to collectively oppose the competition that endorses the use of banned substances. The Enhanced Games will debut in May 2026 in Las Vegas with swimming, athletics and weightlifting on the agenda for athletes using substances banned in official competition, to the dismay of anti-doping bodies like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Participants could earn prize money totalling up to US$500,000 (S$642,400) per event plus bonuses for surpassing a world record mark. CHINADA denounced the event in a statement to state news agency Xinhua on Friday, calling it "a distorted competition that turns pure sports competition into a drug contest, which serious(ly) contradicts the purpose of the World Anti-Doping Code." "It severely threatens the physical and mental health of athletes as well as the spirit of sport. In addition, its publicity tactics reveal its nature as a capital-driven initiative. "CHINADA hereby expresses our firm opposition to any attempt to portray doping as so-called scientific advancements, and calls on the global sports community to stand united in rejecting the Enhanced Games." The Enhanced Games operate under the principle that banning performance-enhancing drugs in major competitions does not protect athletes but rather stifles their performance. Organisers have called on athletes to join the competition. However, CHINADA said the Enhanced Games organisers lure athletes with high prizes into risking their health and feeding public appetite for a "gladiator show". [[nid:718349]]
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Doping-China urges sports bodies to reject 'gladiator show' Enhanced Games
Athlete and swimmer Andriy Govorov speaks to members of the press about joining the \"Enhanced Games\" roster during a press conference, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh Athlete and swimmer James Magnussen attends a press conference to announce he will be joining the new \"Enhanced Games\" team, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh The \"Enhanced Games\" team attends a press conference to announce new games scheduled for 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has denounced the Enhanced Games on Friday and called on the global sports community to collectively oppose the competition that endorses the use of banned substances. The Enhanced Games will debut in May 2026 in Las Vegas with swimming, athletics and weightlifting on the agenda for athletes using substances banned in official competition, to the dismay of anti-doping bodies like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Participants could earn prize money totalling up to $500,000 per event plus bonuses for surpassing a world record mark. CHINADA denounced the event in a statement to state news agency Xinhua on Friday, calling it "a distorted competition that turns pure sports competition into a drug contest, which serious(ly) contradicts the purpose of the World Anti-Doping Code." "It severely threatens the physical and mental health of athletes as well as the spirit of sport. In addition, its publicity tactics reveal its nature as a capital-driven initiative. "CHINADA hereby expresses our firm opposition to any attempt to portray doping as so-called scientific advancements, and calls on the global sports community to stand united in rejecting the Enhanced Games." The Enhanced Games operate under the principle that banning performance-enhancing drugs in major competitions does not protect athletes but rather stifles their performance. Organisers have called on athletes to join the competition. However, CHINADA said the Enhanced Games organisers lure athletes with high prizes into risking their health and feeding public appetite for a "gladiator show". REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
WADA condemns 'dangerous and irresponsible' Enhanced Games
New York: The World Anti-Doping Agency condemned the Enhanced Games as "dangerous and irresponsible" on Thursday, a day after the competition that endorses the use of banned substances announced its inaugural 2026 event. The Enhanced Games operate under the principle that banning performance-enhancing drugs in major competitions does not protect athletes but rather stifles their performance, and called on athletes to join the competition. "The health and well-being of athletes is WADA 's number-one priority. Clearly this event would jeopardize that as it seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes for the purposes of entertainment and marketing," WADA said in a statement. "Over the years, there have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side-effects from their use of prohibited substances and methods. Some have died." The 2026 Enhanced Games , which will take place in Las Vegas from May 21-24, will include swimming, athletics and weightlifting events. Organisers say that they will protect athletes while using technology and science to enhance their strength and speed, unlocking a new level of "superhuman" performances. WADA called on anti-doping organisations to test athletes before, during and after the event, "to protect the integrity of legitimate sport." "WADA warns athletes and support personnel who wish to participate in sport regulated by the World Anti-Doping Code, that if they were to take part in the Enhanced Games, they would risk committing anti-doping rule violations ," said WADA. "They would also put their reputations on the line, as they would risk forever being associated with doping."
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
WADA condemns 'dangerous and irresponsible' Enhanced Games
NEW YORK: The World Anti-Doping Agency condemned the Enhanced Games as "dangerous and irresponsible" on Thursday, a day after the competition that endorses the use of banned substances announced its inaugural 2026 event. The Enhanced Games operate under the principle that banning performance-enhancing drugs in major competitions does not protect athletes but rather stifles their performance, and called on athletes to join the competition. "The health and well-being of athletes is WADA's number-one priority. Clearly this event would jeopardize that as it seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes for the purposes of entertainment and marketing," WADA said in a statement. "Over the years, there have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side-effects from their use of prohibited substances and methods. Some have died." The 2026 Enhanced Games, which will take place in Las Vegas from May 21-24, will include swimming, athletics and weightlifting events. Organisers say that they will protect athletes while using technology and science to enhance their strength and speed, unlocking a new level of "superhuman" performances. WADA called on anti-doping organisations to test athletes before, during and after the event, "to protect the integrity of legitimate sport." "WADA warns athletes and support personnel who wish to participate in sport regulated by the World Anti-Doping Code, that if they were to take part in the Enhanced Games, they would risk committing anti-doping rule violations," said WADA.
