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Anti-doping expert for more urine tests
STRASBOURG, France, Sept 14 (AFP) - French doctor Alain Garnier a doping expert on the European Council, on Thursday regretted what he called a "lack of urine testing to detect the use of EPO". "I find it a pity that we don't use all the scientific methods to detect EPO which is used illegally by athletes," Garnier told AFP by telephone from Sydney, where he is part of a team of 12 independent observers put in place by the new world anti-doping Agency (AMA). When injected in synthetic form EPO enhances stamina in endurance athletes, such as cyclists and triathletes, by increasing the number of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the muscles. But there is growing concern it is also being used by sprinters to boost performance. He went on to explain that the Australian's were using blood tests combined with the French urine testing system, but urine testing was only being used when doping was suspected. "We should use the two methods equally as urine testing is the only way to directly detect the use of EPO in the organisms, while blood tests reveal only indirect use," according to Garnier. The 12 observers working on behalf of the AMA, including four members of the European Council are set to publish a report on their findings.
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