Moscow drug testing

[valleyrunner]

Per the IAAF release there will be extensive testing including virtually every athlete having a a blood test taken. Then 500 urine samples also will be taken but the question I don't see addressed is will there be carbon isotope testing? I've heard it will be from some sources and others are saying it won't be. Without it the testing will be ineffective most would agree. Anyone hearing the actual testing methods planned?

[26mi235]

Re: Moscow drug testing

Can you fill in a little more? Why ineffectual in the one case and effectual in the other? Also, what role do these tests have in broadening the 'biological passport'? Isn't the passport what has been catching cases that were hard to turn up by the individual tests alone?

[norunner]

Re: Moscow drug testing

Carbon isotope ratio testing can differentiate between natural and synthetic testosterone in your body. So even if you are dosing your testosterone creams/gels/whatever to stay below the allowed T/E ratio with CIR the manipulation could still be detected.
Why should they announce which testing methods they are going to use? You don't catch a thief by telling him where the surveillance cameras are.

[Blues]

Re: Moscow drug testing

Carbon isotope ratio testing can differentiate between natural and synthetic testosterone in your body. So even if you are dosing your testosterone creams/gels/whatever to stay below the allowed T/E ratio with CIR the manipulation could still be detected.
Why should they announce which testing methods they are going to use? You don't catch a thief by telling him where the surveillance cameras are.

True. Unfortunately though (and I don't know this to be fact since the only data I've seen is a statement from Victor Contre), I've read that the carbon isotope ratio method can detect synthetic testosterone for about 2 weeks after use. That's a lot better than only about 12 hours after use (as is the case with normal detection methods and athletes who are microdosing), but it still allows athletes to stop the PED a few weeks before Moscow to avoid testing positive, and still benefit during the competition from the PED effects of the previous steroid use. Where carbon isotope ratio testing seems that it would shine is in random, unannounced out of competition tests. It's a lot tougher for a cheating athlete to hide from a random drug test for 2 weeks than it is to hide for about 12 hours....

[26mi235]

Re: Moscow drug testing

It was this type of testing (probably not the carbon variant) that actually was the DQ for Floyd Landis at the 2006 Tour. His T/E ratio was high, and led to further testing. There were procedural issues that led to dropping the T/E ratio as the doping violation but the more detailed analysis on 'source' of the T is what led to the official failing of the doping control.