European Athletics Championships: no positive cases

The European Athletic Association has received the results of the 364 anti-doping controls carried out prior to and during the European Athletics Championships, which took place in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 7-13 August 2006, and can confirm that there were no positive cases at the Championships.

A total of 213 urine tests were conducted and these included 98 tests for EPO. Athletes were selected for in-competition testing based on their finishing position in the final and on a random basis.

There was also an extensive pre-competition blood screening programme in Gothenburg and the total number of blood tests conducted was 151. The results from this blood screening will be added to the IAAF database to assist with the ongoing efforts of ‘athlete profiling’.

EAA President Hansjörg Wirz said: “We carried out over three times as many doping control tests in Gothenburg as took place at the 2002 European Athletics Championships in Munich and we were very happy to receive confirmation that there were no positive cases during the Championships.

“The EAA considers itself an integral part of the worldwide anti-doping movement and through its Anti-Doping Working Group is working with the IAAF and WADA in the fight against doping. Doping control tests are conducted at all EAA Events, Meetings and affiliated competitions.”

The drug testing programme in Gothenburg was carried out according to WADA and IAAF rules under the direction of EAA Doping Control Delegate Juan Manuel Alonso (ESP), who is also the head of the IAAF Medical and Anti-Doping Commission, and LOC Doping Control Manager Jan Engström (SWE). The analysis of samples took place at the WADA accredited laboratory in Stockholm (SWE) in cooperation with the WADA accredited laboratories in Oslo (NOR) and Cologne (GER).

Note:
The samples were tested for the substances and methods contained on the 2006 Prohibited List. The right is reserved in the future to re-test the samples for additional prohibited substances or methods.

THE EAA & ANTI-DOPING

Testing at EAA Events & Meetings

Doping control tests are conducted at all EAA Events, Meetings and affiliated competitions. In 2006 this represents 15 EAA Events, 5 Indoor Permit Meetings, 16 Outdoor Premium Meetings, 16 Outdoor Permit Meetings, 10 Cross Country Permit Meetings, 3 Race Walking Permit Meetings and 6 European Champions Clubs Cup competitions. The estimated number of doping control tests to be conducted at EAA competitions in 2006 is 1200. Prior to 2005, on average 500 tests were conducted per annum. The number increased to over 1000 in 2005 and by another 20% this year. Doping Control Delegates are appointed for all EAA Events and EAA Premium meetings.

Blood Screening

Since 2005 the EAA has carried out an extensive blood screening programme (600 tests per annum). The project is a joint cooperation with the IAAF and all results and information are shared. The process of ‘athlete profiling’ through blood screening can over the long term provide indications that an athlete may be using doping products and assist with target testing.

Blood screenings are conducted pre-competition on selected athletes at all major EAA Events. In addition, all long distance related competitions are included in the screening programme, as well as Junior and Under 23 Championships. The programme has been highly successful and its continuation is guaranteed.

Out-of-competition testing

The EAA believes no-advance-notice out-of-competition testing is of the utmost importance in the fight against doping and is working with the IAAF in this respect. The IAAF has confirmed that in 2005 approximately 3000 athletes were tested out-of-competition and over 50% were European athletes. Over 50% of the top athletes registered in the IAAF testing pool are European athletes. Some of the EAA’s Member Federations also have national out-of-competition testing programmes.

Anti-Doping Education

The EAA also recognises the great importance of anti-doping education and has collaborated with IDTM (International Drugs Test Management) on a survey of the anti-doping education activities of the EAA’s Member Federations, which was conducted in 2005 and early 2006. The results of the survey helped to build a picture of the federations’ needs in this area and the EAA is currently considering ways in which it can assist them with their anti-doping education activities.