Doping in other sports?

[Rob5091]

Anyone who has ever had microwave popcorn or hot-waxed their skies have loads of PFAS/PFOS chemicals in their bloodstream. There’s no question we get all kinds of contaminants from the plastics and chemicals in our world. Nothing new.
That still doesn’t show how many rubber crumbs from playfields would be required to be metabolized in a way that this particular banned substance (not just any chemical) would show up at a high enough level to be a positive test.

I suppose it's hard to find volunteers to eat astroturf! I'm guessing it could also be a case of substances building up in the body over time and/or getting exposed to the same chemicals in everyday life plus playing footie on astroturf. (Scandinavian tyre regulations/substances and road surfaces could play a part in this. Lots of studies on particulate matter in that regard)

 

[memyselfandI]

New findings in sad case of Sivert Bakken:

Avdøde Sivert Guttorm Bakken ble funnet med høydemaske

Skiskytter Sivert Guttorm Bakken hadde på seg høydemaske da han ble funnet død lille julaften. Det melder Norges Skiskytterforbund i en pressemelding.

www.nrk.no

 

[Rob5091]

New findings in sad case of Sivert Bakken:

Avdøde Sivert Guttorm Bakken ble funnet med høydemaske

Skiskytter Sivert Guttorm Bakken hadde på seg høydemaske da han ble funnet død lille julaften. Det melder Norges Skiskytterforbund i en pressemelding.

www.nrk.no

I hope he wasn't playing around with CO inhalation.

 

[Rob5091]

I've posted before about Middle Eastern endurance horse racing and the likelihood of it being used as a testing ground for cyclists and other athletes. Gene editing is apparently the latest thing in horse racing, which shows how bad things have got -
https://trainermagazine.com/europea...-the-future-perspectives-in-breeding/2025/7/1

This shift from theory to application became strikingly evident in October–November 2024, when Argentina’s biotech firm Kheiron Biotech announced the birth of five genetically edited polo foals, marking the world's first CRISPR‑Cas9–engineered equine athletes.

The other things mentioned in the article are mirrored in pro-cycling, EPO. HIF, growth hormones etc etc.

 

[Rob5091]

Maybe not horse racing, but camel racing - from December 2025 - a good recovery agent?
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.70011

We report the misuse of a novel synthetic glucocorticoid, 9α-fluoro-6α-methylprednisolone (9F6MP) for the first time in camel racing and, to the best of our knowledge, human or other animal sports. During routine post-race drug testing of cameline plasma samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry we encountered an unknown peak with the same selected reaction monitoring traces as a dexamethasone formate adduct but at a different retention time. The product ion mass spectrum of the unknown peak in negative ion mode was identical to dexamethasone. However, significant differences were observed in positive ion mode. Based on mass spectral analysis, we postulated the unknown peak to be a 6-methyl-16-nor isomer of dexamethasone. Following the procurement of a commercial 9F6MP reference material, the unknown peak was successfully identified as this substance. Interestingly, previous research predicted a high potential for glucocorticoid and anti-inflammatory activity for 9F6MP. However, the therapeutic use of 9F6MP in camels has not been approved by any authorities, and any toxicities and side-effects potentially caused by 9F6MP have not been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, the misuse of 9F6MP should be strictly controlled for the sake of animal welfare and the integrity of camel racing. The information described in this case report will be beneficial for other anti-doping laboratories in both human and animal sports for the purpose of doping control.

https://www.musechem.com/product/9α-fluoro-6α-methylprednisolone-r031901/

9α-Fluoro-6α-methylprednisolone（Cat No.:R031901）is a synthetic corticosteroid derivative, structurally modified from prednisolone. The introduction of a fluorine atom at the 9α position and a methyl group at the 6α position enhances its anti-inflammatory and glucocorticoid activity while reducing mineralocorticoid effects. These modifications improve its potency and reduce the risk of water retention and electrolyte imbalances, making it effective for treating conditions like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergic reactions. As a potent anti-inflammatory agent, it also minimizes adverse side effects compared to conventional corticosteroids, making it useful in both clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

Does the poster above think that cycling teams will start modifying the DNA of human embryos so that, 20 years later, they'll have the perfect cyclist? Lmao

 

[Rob5091]

Does the poster above think that cycling teams will start modifying the DNA of human embryos so that, 20 years later, they'll have the perfect cyclist? Lmao

I was writing about gene editing and if we go back to 2018 (yes, 2018!) -
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/gene-doping-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-being-combated

Although gene therapy is still only used for rare diseases that have no cure (like severe combined immunodeficiency, blindness, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases) scientists have confessed that people from the world of sports have approached them and asked them to use these therapies as a way to enhance their sport performances.

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

I was writing about gene editing and if we go back to 2018 (yes, 2018!) -
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/gene-doping-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-being-combated

Gene editing and DNA editing are the same thing. The article you just linked to is about gene therapy, which is different from editing.

In your comment above, you specifically highlighted and quoted where a racehorse was cloned and its DNA was altered using CRISPR technology & this is a possible testing ground for cycling.

So, in your imagination, the UAE will clone Pogacar but change his DNA and give him Merlier-type sprinting abilities?

 

[csillag]

An interesting story out of Estonia today where a positive doping test went unnoticed for nearly a year and a half by both Estonian anti-doping authorities and WADA because WADA's ADAMS system malfunctioned and didn't send out notifications to them.

Source: https://sport.delfi.ee/artikkel/120...uproov-tuli-ilmsiks-aasta-ja-neli-kuud-hiljem (In Estonian and paywalled; I've google-translated some paragraphs below that explain what happened)

The curious story began to unfold around last Christmas, when Delfi discovered from the annual report of the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA – detailed testing results for 2024 were published by country and sport in December 2025 – that four of the doping samples taken by the Estonian Anti-Doping and Sports Ethics Foundation (EADSE) had tested positive for doping in the past year: those of two bodybuilding and fitness athletes, one rower and one skier. The first two – Andrei Abrossimov and Regina Krukovskaya – have already been in the media. But which rower and skier slipped under our radar?

If a journalist hadn't noticed a discrepancy between the number of positive tests and the number of cases he remembered being reported in the media, would this case have come out at all? And he probably only noticed because of the low number of positive cases; could there be other such hidden positives in countries with larger populations and more positive cases?

As for the skier, it took EADSE itself some time to clarify the circumstances of this case. Full clarity only came a few days ago, although the ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration & Management System) program, which notifies national anti-doping agencies of positive samples from athletes under their jurisdiction, should have sounded the alarm as early as September 5. And not in 2025, but on September 5, 2024!

"The ADAMS program is set up so that it automatically sends a positive test notification to all contacts who have been added to this system – both to us and to WADA people. This system was created for this purpose, so that the relevant authorities can respond immediately to a doping case. Looking back at all the logs and communicating with the laboratory, it has become clear that on September 5, 2024, when the notification was supposed to come out of ADAMS, it did not reach us or any WADA person. We have met with WADA people, forwarded all the materials to them and made inquiries, but it will take them time to determine the exact nature of the malfunction,” said Perli.

Delfi has also contacted WADA with a question as to whether it can be certain that this is an isolated incident, or whether there is reason to doubt the reliability of the entire notification system. At the time of publication of the article, WADA had not yet responded.

The cross-country skier in question was Kaarel Kasper Kõrge who tested positive for cocaine during the Estonian roller-ski championships in August 2024. He has since retired and admits to having taken cocaine recreationally.

 

[Rob5091]

If you're going to get busted, then it might as well be for a lot - Olaf Kepa, a Ju-Jitsu fighter from Poland, has returned an AAF
https://ita.sport/news/the-ita-notifies-athlete-olaf-kepa-of-an-apparent-anti-doping-rule-violation/

... an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for Metandienone, Stenbolone, Dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone, Drostanolone, Anastrozole, Octodrine and GW1516.​

 

[Squire]

If you're going to get busted, then it might as well be for a lot - Olaf Kepa, a Ju-Jitsu fighter from Poland, has returned an AAF
https://ita.sport/news/the-ita-notifies-athlete-olaf-kepa-of-an-apparent-anti-doping-rule-violation/

They probably didn't even have to analyze that sample. It must have been glowing in the dark with smoke coming from it!

 

[Unchained]

I wish there was a supplemental question as part of the thread,
How many other sports use bio passport?
How many other professional sports contact an athlete years after a test to tell them that they have a positive \ abnormal test.
How many other professional sports hire ex UCI employees- executives to run their sports...

 

[proffate]

Paul George of the NBA busted for unspecified PEDs and serving a 25 game suspension (equating to a $12M fine).

Pretty rare the NBA busts anyone and also strange to me they bother to suspend someone but don't want to be transparent about it (enough to tell the public what he was caught doing).

 

[Sciatic]

Paul George of the NBA busted for unspecified PEDs and serving a 25 game suspension (equating to a $12M fine).

Pretty rare the NBA busts anyone and also strange to me they bother to suspend someone but don't want to be transparent about it (enough to tell the public what he was caught doing).

Yeah, it’s strange that they don’t reveal the product—which makes it even easier for the athlete or team to paper over the bad news by saying it was a mental health medicine he didn’t realize was banned. I wonder if players labor agreement with NBA prohibits revealing the drug?

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

25 game suspension (equating to a $12M fine).

Not that it makes much difference. But it's more like $6 million, these athletes only take home half their salary, or even less. The rest goes towards taxes and other expenses...

 

[SafeBet]

Being unbale to cover up doping cases in your home Olympics must be rare.

Doping, positiva l’azzurra Rebecca Passler del biathlon. Primo caso a Milano Cortina

Trovate nelle analisi tracce di letrozolo

www.lastampa.it

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Being unbale to cover up doping cases in your home Olympics must be rare.

Doping, positiva l’azzurra Rebecca Passler del biathlon. Primo caso a Milano Cortina

Trovate nelle analisi tracce di letrozolo

www.lastampa.it

Shooting fast doesn't always mean you're shooting clean, as Passler has already proved before this.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Shooting fast doesn't always mean you're shooting clean, as Passler has already proved before this.

Getting busted before the Olympic games take place in your small home valley is rough...

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Letrozole - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Letrozole is considered a performance enhancing drug by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA), as are other aromatase inhibitors, because they may be used to counteract the side effects of anabolic steroids. Letrozole itself is not a performance enhancer.

6 Things to Know About Letrozole | USADA

Even substances in prescription medications used to fight breast cancer, like letrozole, may be abused to enhance performance.

www.usada.org

 

[Unchained]

Yeah, it’s strange that they don’t reveal the product—which makes it even easier for the athlete or team to paper over the bad news by saying it was a mental health medicine he didn’t realize was banned. I wonder if players labor agreement with NBA prohibits revealing the drug?

Certainly in most cases in the US the medical legal framework ( HIPA) and the players union probably have most public disclosure of someone's medical records out of bounds.
Majority of professional sports have internal mechanisms for PED use. No other sport other than cycling would use crazy multiple year drug testing jigsaw puzzle like bio passport were tests from years ago are somehow fitted together to get you an "abnormal" result.
Cycling can't even get the language right.. Rider is positive for banned substance(s) . Here's a great example of someone being caught, punished and the player, union, team, fan base and league all move on.
This should be cold water in the face for bike racing, here's how it's done and the sport is not mired, absolutely soiled in scandal and crushed reputation..
Why would you do it the UCI way?
MLB has had Sosa, McGwire Bonds, Tatis Jr recently.. Pro golf hundreds of touring athletes all over the world, NBA,NFL, Premier League... everyone has problems but the difference is how they handle it. Here I applaud the NBA for balance.. Punished an athlete without doing nuclear bomb damage to everyone else, the sports reputation world wide, respect for franchise owners, sponsors and fans. The UCI and bio passport are a criminal fraud.

 

[Sciatic]

Certainly in most cases in the US the medical legal framework ( HIPA) and the players union probably have most public disclosure of someone's medical records out of bounds.
Majority of professional sports have internal mechanisms for PED use. No other sport other than cycling would use crazy multiple year drug testing jigsaw puzzle like bio passport were tests from years ago are somehow fitted together to get you an "abnormal" result.
Cycling can't even get the language right.. Rider is positive for banned substance(s) . Here's a great example of someone being caught, punished and the player, union, team, fan base and league all move on.
This should be cold water in the face for bike racing, here's how it's done and the sport is not mired, absolutely soiled in scandal and crushed reputation..
Why would you do it the UCI way?
MLB has had Sosa, McGwire Bonds, Tatis Jr recently.. Pro golf hundreds of touring athletes all over the world, NBA,NFL, Premier League... everyone has problems but the difference is how they handle it. Here I applaud the NBA for balance.. Punished an athlete without doing nuclear bomb damage to everyone else, the sports reputation world wide, respect for franchise owners, sponsors and fans. The UCI and bio passport are a criminal fraud.

I understand you don’t like the UCI anti doping program, but to compare it to The NFL or NBA where doping (or legal use of drugs that would be doping in other sports) is rampant and ridiculous. If someone does manage to get caught, the penalties are not much of a deterrent. Example from a few years busted for anabolic steroids had a ban of four games, later reduced to 2. MLB has tougher testing and penalties, in part because of the scandal you mentioned. Though remember, Bonds and that group were not busted through testing—it was a whistle-blower who outed them.

 

[Brullnux]

Getting busted before the Olympic games take place in your small home valley is rough...

Methanol and letrozole is quite the cocktail, lots of respect for her.

 

[Brullnux]

The lower end Italian biathletes have been flying this year, so it's not an enormous surprise that someone got popped. Carrara had been skiing at a ridiculous speed, too, so my money would've been on her.

At the higher end, I think Wierer has been the one surpassing my expectations in terms of ski speed. Vittozzi has been in line with previous years, Giacomel fast but carrying on progression from last two years. I wonder if we will see a drop off from the whole team or if the others feel fairly safe (do they even really train together?).

 

[wansteadimp]

Letrozole - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Letrozole is considered a performance enhancing drug by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA), as are other aromatase inhibitors, because they may be used to counteract the side effects of anabolic steroids. Letrozole itself is not a performance enhancer.

6 Things to Know About Letrozole | USADA

Even substances in prescription medications used to fight breast cancer, like letrozole, may be abused to enhance performance.

www.usada.org

Mama Errani used it in her tortellini.