The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) will be, once again, collecting blood (in addition to urine) during selected doping control sessions. Part of the doping control program since 2004, it will now become an integral component of the domestic anti-doping program.
Starting in the late summer of 2009, blood samples will be collected during in-competition doping control, and the national sport organization will be advised that blood sampling will be conducted at its event.
As the blood program progresses, national sport organizations and athletes will be advised that blood collection can be incorporated into testing missions at any time without prior notification. Blood collection will also begin to be incorporated into the CCES out-of-competition doping control program.
Every national-level Canadian athlete and every sport is subject to the blood collection program. However, the CCES will begin implementation of the blood program by focusing on endurance sports and power sports.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), international federations and national anti-doping organizations all agree that blood sampling and testing for doping control is a viable, dependable and necessary element of a complete and robust anti-doping program.
The collection of blood enables the detection of blood doping and the use of human growth hormone, and allows monitoring of selected blood parameters.
Blood doping is the misuse of certain techniques and/or substances to increase one’s red blood cell mass, which allows the body to transport more oxygen to muscles and therefore increase stamina and performance.
There are three widely known substances or methods used for blood doping: erythropoietin (EPO), synthetic oxygen carriers, and blood transfusions. Each is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
Human growth hormone (hGH) is a hormone that is synthesized and secreted by cells in the anterior pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. hGH is prohibited both in- and out-of-competition under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
The CCES would also like to warn athletes subject to doping control that they should NOT take supplements containing Geranamine, a prohibited stimulant and fat-burning substance. A concentrate extract of Geranium oil, Geranamine is a pure chemical formula that contains high concentration of 4-methylhexanamine, a banned substance otherwise known as DMAA or dimethylamylamine.
There have been a number of recent international doping violations as a result of supplements containing Geranamine. The most recent violation resulted in a four-year sanction for the athlete.
