Posted: October 27, 2005

Athletics: Edmonton Anti-Doping Programme Confirms All Clear

Monte-Carlo - The IAAF is pleased to announce that all drug tests performed during the 14th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Edmonton, Canada, 1 October 2005, have been confirmed as negative.

In Edmonton, as in all IAAF World Athletics Series (WAS) events, a large number of tests were taken during both the pre-competition and in-competition periods, as part of the IAAF’s continued anti-doping efforts. In total, 15 urine and blood samples were collected during the Championships, while 101 blood samples were taken prior to competition.

“The IAAF continues to implement a large number of doping controls at all its events. It is an encouraging sign that all samples taken in Edmonton have returned negative. We are committed to the fight against doping which, especially at this time of the year, means increased focus on our out-of-competition testing programme,” said Istvan Gyulai, IAAF General Secretary.

Blood sampling conducted during the pre-competition period focused on gathering haematological blood profiles and screening samples for the indication of EPO abuse, while samples taken during the in-competition period (urine and blood) were screened for all prohibited substances and methods. All the information gathered from this testing, particularly from the haematological profiles, will be used to better inform the IAAF’s future testing activities.

In addition to the in-competition testing at all WAS events, the IAAF will continue to implement and improve its rigorous out-of-competition (OOC) testing programme. This OOC testing occurs at all times of the year on a no-advance-notice (NAN) basis which is considered the most effective form of doping control.

IAAF officials will also be in Russia during November to continue preparations for the doping control programme during the 11th IAAF World Indoor Championships, Moscow, Russia (10 - 12 March 2006).