Summer Olympics 2004

Chemist: New drugs may emerge in Athens

By wire services
Published July 30, 2004

The chemist who unmasked the steroid THG last year says similar drugs might be in circulation, and the Athens Games could spur athletes to use such performance-enhancing substances.

"The Olympics is a time when people risk it all," said Don Catlin, head of the anti-doping lab at UCLA. "I've seen for many, many years how the Olympics brings out new drugs and new techniques."

Catlin said in a conference call Wednesday "hundreds or thousands" of steroids created by drug companies in the 1960s and 1970s could be turned into performance-enhancing substances."

Terry Madden, head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, said on the conference call "there are designer steroids out there."

Meanwhile, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Dick Pound, reiterated Thursday officials are "in the final stages of making sure there is a clear scientific consensus" about a test for human growth hormone. If such a test is not ready in time for the Olympics, officials plan to save athletes' samples that can be tested retroactively.

MORE DOPING: Analysis of a backup sample confirmed the positive drug test for U.S. sprinter Mickey Grimes, who faces a possible lifetime ban for two doping offenses. The International Association of Athletics Federations said Grimes' B sample also was positive for a banned steroid. IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the case is in the hands of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which must decide on any sanction. Grimes, 27, tested positive for the stimulant ephedrine at the Pan Am Games last year.

ETHICAL CONCERNS: The IOC is investigating allegations of unethical conduct in the host city bidding process for the 2012 Summer Games. The move, centered on accusations in an upcoming BBC program, comes six years after the IOC was rocked by the Salt Lake City bid scandal.

A news release by the investigative news show Panorama said the program "reveals that the votes of some members of the International Olympic Committee are still being offered for sale." The Salt Lake scandal prompted the IOC to adopt a series of reforms, including a ban on gift giving and member visits to bid cities. New York, Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow are vying for the 2012 Games.

[Last modified July 29, 2004, 23:58:17]