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STUTTGART, Germany –- No positive doping cases emerged from last month’s European Athletics Championships, the European Athletic Association (EAA) announced today.
A total of 364 anti-doping controls were carried out prior to and during the competition in Gothenburg, Sweden, last month. A total of 213 urine tests were conducted, including 98 for EPO. Athletes were selected for in-competition testing based on their finishing position in the final and on a random basis.
Additionally, a pre-competition blood screening program included 151 blood tests. The results from the screening will be added to the IAAF database to assist with the ongoing efforts of ‘athlete profiling’. 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.
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," Wirz added, "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 EAA estimated that the number of o doping control tests to be conducted at EAA competitions in this year will be 1200. Prior to 2005, an average of 500 tests were conducted annually. The number increased to over 1000 in 2005, and by another 20% this year.
Since 2005 the EAA has carried out an 600 blood screenings per year. Blood screenings are conducted pre-competition on selected athletes at all major EAA Events. Additionally, all long distance related competitions are included in the screening program, as well as Junior and Under 23 Championships.
The drug testing program in Gothenburg was carried out according to WADA and IAAF rules under the direction of EAA Doping Control Delegate Juan Manuel Alonso of Spain, who is also the head of the IAAF Medical and Anti-Doping Commission, and LOC Doping Control Manager Jan Engström of Sweden. The analysis of samples took place at the WADA accredited laboratory in Stockholm in cooperation with the WADA accredited laboratories in Oslo and Cologne.
In a statement, the EAA noted: "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.
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