Fight Against Doping - WADA Defends Rules; Austrian Investigation Dropped

WADA director general David Howman said WADA’s controversial new whereabouts rules are a necessary tool in the fight against doping. (Getty Images) WADA Chief says "Whereabouts Rule" Essential

David Howman defended the controversial "whereabouts" rule during a question and answer period at Sportaccord on Tuesday.

"Some prominent athletes are making complaints," Howman said. "There have been many athletes who say this is not a problem. Many athletes in many sports have been doing this for many years and are comfortable with it."

However, Patrick Baumann, international basketball federation secretary general, said the rule is "extremely oppressive and very difficult to justify."

He said the burden of proof has turned around. "We have to prove that our athletes are innocent. There should be some way WADA would allow us first to implement it over time and in a reasonable way, so we don't get into stupid fights."

Howman said every new rule takes adjustment, and it has only been in effect since Jan. 1.

He also said it was not possible to give athletes a two-week holiday from drug testing.

Howman said that "creates an opportunity for athletes to dope because it is well known -- this is not just anecdotal -- the time they dope up is the time they have away from the sport."

Denis Oswald, ASOIF president, suggested having athletes give their whereabouts only four or five days a week instead of seven. "There is no substance which disappears from the body within 24 hours as far as I know," he said. "I'm sure if they tried to dope on the three days, they would be caught on the Monday."

He said with fewer days, the athletes "would not have the feeling they are every day under scrutiny."

International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid told the assembly that he "very rarely" comes to the defense of WADA, but had to in this case and said the seven day rule is the only effective course.

Howman also said some micro-doping of EPO or testosterone patches can be out of the system in 24 hours.

"We're finding more and more cheating scientists helping cheating athletes," he said. "If they can see an opening, one or two days, they'll take it. We have to be careful the door's not open to allow more cheats to enter."

Humanplasma Case Dropped

More than a year after the investigation into Austrian blood bank Humanplasma began, authorities are dropping the case against the company.

WADA received a tip in November of 2007 that Humanplasma supplied blood transfusions to athletes; the organization then passed that information on to the Austrian Ministry for the Interior.

However, the Associated Press reported that the case against two unnamed doctors who were accused of administering blood doping to athletes had been dropped, due to a lack of evidence. Austrian authorities dropped their investigation into Humanplasma. (Getty Images)

Earlier media reports published in Germany said 31 athletes in multiple sports from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands were using the Viennese company’s services illegally to boost their blood.

"I am outraged, there is no Humanplasma affair. I have a clear conscience. I am innocent," said CEO Lothar Baumgartner in February of last year.

Russian President Wants Better Doping Tests

The president of Russia has called for better drug tests in his country. Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying on Monday in the AFP that better tests were needed to bring Russian sport into the 21st century.

“The main problems of doping tests in Russia have occurred because the existing methods here do not fit strict demands of up-to-date doping control in Europe,” Medvedev said.

“Doping tests are one of the main parts in the process of preparing the country's athletes. We need to solve all the technical problems in this sphere, otherwise our problems with doping will continue.”

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said doping scandals in Russia were over for the foreseeable future.

"There will be no more problems in dope testing for us in the near future," Mutko said.

The past 12 months has seen a slew of Russian doping scandals, leading to athletes staying home from the Olympics and world championship competitors being banished.

Mayer Arrested for Doping

The Austrian biathlon coach who was caught in the middle of a doping imbroglio during the Turin Olympics was arrested for doping over the weekend. The infamous and scandal-plagued Austrian biathlon coach Walter Mayer was arrested for doping. (Getty Images)

According to a Reuters report, Walter Mayer was arrested by Austrian authorities for suspicion of distributing EPO and other drugs to athletes. The pharmacists who sold Mayer the drugs were also arrested.

Vienna state prosecutor Gerhard Jarosch would not release any information on the athletes who may have received drugs from Mayer.

On Friday, an Austrian cyclist who received EPO from the same pharmacist was arrested.

Mayer was involved in doping scandals at the Salt Lake City and Turin Games, leading to a suspension that lasts through the 2010 Games.

Media Watch

The New York Times has a profile on caffeine as a performance-enhancing drug.

Brian Moore writes in London’s The Telegraph, that FIFA’s decision to reject WADA’s whereabouts rules was the “wrong” decision.

Written by Ed Hula III.