The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced today that it met on 11 April 2001 with a group of International Sport Federations to discuss the status of the detection of the use of banned oxygen carrying factors, such as erythropoietin (EPO).

WADA met with the International Ski Federation (FIS), the International Biathlon Union (IBU), the International Skating Union (ISU), the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF).

A fundamental role of WADA is to coordinate the fight against doping in sport at all levels. WADA therefore invited these Federations, both in recognition of their commitment and dedication in dealing with the manipulation of hemoglobin level in the blood and to review the status of various programs to ensure coordinated and harmonized effective measures to further strengthen deterrence’s against these banned practices.

Following the discussions, it was agreed that current detection methods, through the use of both blood and urine testing can be effective measures to deter the use of these banned substances and practices. The need to extend the use of these tests for in and out-of-competition testing to have the maximum impact was also recognized.

There is a strong commitment to continue to work together to further strengthen detection techniques, particularly through the support of continued research. This is of particular importance in the lead-up to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.

Mr Harri Syväsalmi, WADA Secretary General, was encouraged by what has been accomplished to date. He was even more encouraged by the genuine commitment among International Federations to work in close partnership with WADA to deal with this problem and to promote and protect doping free sport for all athletes.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Harri Syväsalmi
WADA Secretary General
Tel: +41 21 351 02 25.
http://www.wada-ama.org