Drug Testing in Athletes at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games

Abstract

During the 2002 Olympic Winter Games at Salt Lake City, Utah, more athletes tested positive for doping than in all previous Olympic Winter Games combined. Approximately 4% (96) of all registered athletes were tested in the out-of-competition testing phase. There were no positive urine specimens. During the in-competition urine doping control program, 559 urine specimens were tested. There were 2 specimens positive for nandrolone and 1 specimen positive for methamphetamine. During the testing of endurance athletes for erythropoietin and related substances, there were 3 specimens positive for darbepoetin, a substance related to erythropoietin. These results signal an increased awareness of new scientific technologies and a resolve to use these procedures for antidoping efforts. The World Anti-Doping Agency is positioned to take a leadership role in harmonizing the antidoping efforts of the international sport federations, the national Olympic committees, the International Olympic Committee, the national sport governing bodies, and national antidoping agencies.