A call came on Saturday from Hugo Steinegger, the President of the Swiss Cycling Federation to let cycling cheats off if they own up to drug taking and dob in the suppliers. Steinegger said that the call for amnesty is likely to be high on the list of demands to be discussed at the meeting between the riders and the UCI in Lausanne on Tuesday.
Steinegger suggested that the problem was in the supply chain and the role played by the team managers who give riders the EPO. He told the press that: "Justice, though, must follow its course so that everyone who is a drugs dealer be it team director, physio or a so-called doctor who authorises drugs taking pays the price."
He said the Swiss Festina riders who have admitted to cheating should be let off for having "had the courage to tell the truth."
Amanad de Pledge: Controversy has struck Australia's cycling team as they prepare for the world titles later this month. The Australian Sports Commission has been investigating a number of allegations brought forward by members of the team against the management and their preparation under coach, Charlie Walsh. Three cyclists, Lucy Tyler-Sharman, Darryn hill and Graham Sharman quit the teams American training camp reportedly following disharmony and friction with Walsh. The executive director of the Australian Sports Commission Jim Ferguson says that he is satisfied that following an investigation of the issues that everything is on track. Cycling Australia president, Ray Godkin, up next.
KS: Yes, and he's the sort of fellow that won't shy away from the issues..........
KS: Cycling is one sport that has definitely been under the hammer in recent weeks. The drug scandal surrounding the Tour de France has come at a time when our higly rated track and road teams are preparing for the Commonwealth Games. Preparing I might add amid some turbulance within the team resulting in an official statement today saying that everyone is talking to one another again. Joining me in the studio today the president of the Cycling Federation of Australia Ray Godkin. Sometimes you must wonder what you've got hold of with this cycling thing - there is always a little bit of turbulance. What's the latest one around, it centres on people not getting along with Charlie Walsh once again.
Ray Godkin: we have a problem in that our team is away six months of the year living out of suitcases, and they're not living in five star hotels and also within the team you've got people competing against each other to make the Commonwealth Games team and world championships teams. After a period of time I think that everybody just gets on each others nerves, and we have a few little problems, but eventually it all seems to iron out.
KS: Charlie Walsh must be a sensational coach because every time there is a bit of a fracas in Australian cycling Charlie is at the centre of it, is he irreplaceable?
Ray Godkin: He's certainly a very handy fellow to have. He certainly also seems to be targeted also. Charlie is certainly recognised as being one of top, not necessarily alone, but there's two or three we could put on the pedestal together, and he's certainly one of them in the world.
KS: Why was it necessary for him to sign a document to say he would give Lucy Tyler-Sharman, Darryn Hill equal time and the training they required?
Ray Godkin: Well, there seemed to be a bit of a view by some people, and possibly the people you're talking about that they may have been discriminated against and not get the same equipment and looked after the same as others. So to make them happy and so they would be content, so we did that. Charlie did it without any problem at all. It would have been done anyway, without any documents.
KS: Is that a legally binding document?
Ray Godkin: Well, there's no problems because it would have been done anyway.
KS: So, therefore why was it necessary? They must have felt that they needed something in writing.
Ray Godkin: It isn't necessary.
KS: So, it's something you would have prefered not to have happened ?
Ray Godkin: It's absolutely not necessary to have happened but if it makes them feel happier, so be it.
KS: What about this new protein that Charlie is experimenting with, colostrum, it's similar to breast milk and apparently helps with your immune system, and it's not illegal, but some of the riders have expressed some sort of doubts. They are a bit gun-shy as a result of what happened in the Tour de France.
Ray Godkin: The riders have the choice if they don't want to use it they don't have to, but the purpose of it was to build up their immune system. We seem to have problems all the time with riders getting sick. This particularly arose with them living together in such close conditions. So, Charlie introduced this to build up the immune system. We thought it might be helpful for the team. Some were a bit afraid of it, they didn't know what it was, but there was certainly nothing illegal about it. Charlie wouldn't be party to that, of course, and neither would we.
KS: The Tour de France has it tainted cycling in much the way that weight-lifting got hit?
Ray Godkin: Certainly it didn't do it any good. There is no question about that. It was a shame that happened within the Tour. A lot of people aren't aware what this EPO is all about. I think that we might have promoted what has happened a little bit. I'm talking international now. Because everyone has got a level of red cells which carries the oxygen. The average level is about 43.5. So we made decision that the maximum you could have was 50% of the red cells and the idea of this was because it was alleged that about 19 riders died in the early nineties because they laid down to sleep and because they've got too much of this gunk in them that their blood thickens up and they died. The idea was to introduce a level....so I guess we condoned it then a little where they could do this and get up to a level and ride. But there's only been two sports that's done much about this and that's us and cross-country skiing. And of course, when we did this and bought it to notice we come under fire.
KS: So, you're at loggerheads with Juan Antonio Samaranch who sort of says a little bit of this is not so bad as long as it's not hurting the athletes.
Ray Godkin: We don't seem to be the best of friends right at this moment. But, I'm sure that he'll see our way. And I think that he has. We want to stamp it out completely and I don't think it will be too long before we do. Australia is leading the field in this area that we can recognise which is synthetic and which is natural. And once this is done whether it's 43% or 37% if they've got synthetic EPO they are out.
KS: Getting back to the Commonwealth Games. We are sending a very, very strong team there and they have a world championship build-up. You have given me the team here today. We can't go through all the names but it is extraordinarily strong. Neil Stephens has made himself available as of yesterday.
Ray Godkin: Neil said that he didn't think that he would go. I spoke to Neil after all this business in the Tour de France, and he was very upset and very dejected but he's come around. Neil's made himself available and I think that's absolutely fantastic. It's a very, very strong team which includes Stuart O'Grady on the road. As you know he's a sensation.
KS: Well, Stuart O'Grady had a sensational Tour de France but sometimes I think he will probably say it was glossed over because of what happened off the track.
Ray Godkin: A great pity. He lost a lot because of what was going on with the EPO drama, but his performance was absolutely extraordinary and we certainly haven't seen the last of him on the road. It's been a pity because he is our key endurance track rider also.
KS: When you consider the success you had in Canada four years ago I think it was 19 gold medals in individual and also team events, what are you expecting are you putting a number on it?
Ray Godkin: I don't usually put numbers on gold medals but I honestly can't see that auistralia won't win every gold medal on this occassion. we haven't won the road race since 1978 when Phil Anderson won in Edmonton. We haven't won since then, but I'm pretty confident this time. I really can't see the Australians getting beaten in any event, particularly the women. They're so strong also.
KS: Anybody in particular you're excited about as far as a developing cyclist, I mean is there anybody coming through that you think is going to be an absolute world beater?
Ray Godkin: I think that somebody who needs mention is Alayna Burns a junior who has just won the world championship in Cuba for the pursuit. She is in the team and she is also targeted for Sydney 2000 so she is going to be quite sensational. But it's hard to divide this team up because it's got so many good bike riders in it.
KS: And of course Kathy's there again . Kathhy Watt. How's she going?
Ray Godkin: Kathy's going very well.
KS: Happy?
Ray Godkin: I think so. But, Kathy is not riding the track.
KS: And Lucy Tyler-Sharman is there obviously.
Ray Godkin: Kathy is concentrating on the road and she will be very difficult to beat also on the road.
KS: You had a few problems with the Kuala Lumpur track. What's happened there? It's an outdoor track and they had a bit of a problem.
Ray Godkin: I don't know if people are aware just how serious that was. They were given until the 13th of July to do something about that track otherwise Track Cycling was to be taken out of the program for the Commonwealth Games. They responded. I got a fax on the 12th to say yes, they would fix it, and right at this very moment they are doing something about it. What happened was it needed a re-surface and they sprayed concrete on but they forgot to trowel it. That left it impossible to ride on . They have had to grind the whole track and they are doing that right this minute.
KS: What do you think the times are going to be like because as you said it's an outdoor track?
Ray Godkin: The times won't be good. There certainly won't be any records set on this track.
KS: Is that right?
Ray Godkin: None at all.
KS: And what about the heat, how is that going to affect them?
Ray Godkin: It's going to be very hot. It doesn't affect the track riders so much, as a matter of fact they go fairly well in warm conditions. But the road is going to be horrific.
KS: New technology. Is there anything going to happen at these Games ? Are we going to see a wonder bike, or wonder helmet or wonder gear?
Ray Godkin: Certainly not. .. 2mins 10 seconds lost due to mechanical problems.
Since I never heard of Colostum I did a quick web search for it. The most relevant result follows, from http://www.bovinecolostrum.com/info/index.htm "What's in Colostrum":
Growth Factors: Anti-Aging/Healing:
Medical studies have shown the vital growth factors IgF-1 AND TgF A & B and nucleotides from bovine colostrum to be identical to human in composition. Further, it has been shown that they can help stimulate normal growth, regeneration and accelerated repair of aged, or injured muscle, skin collagen, bone, cartilage and nerve tissues. Helps stimulate the body to burn fat for fuel instead of the body's own muscle tissue in times of fasting (diet). Helps build lean muscle. Helps provide the raw materials to repair vital DNA and RNA in the bodies' cells. Can help balance blood sugars (non insulin diabetics and hypoglycemia). Can be an effective topical application for burns, injuries and skin rejuvenation.
Thanks to Albert. Just the thing that racing cyclists should be taking I think. What is the difference between this and EPO in terms of its artificiality in our normal diet and nutrition intake.
Karen Tighe: ..... A call has been made to the sports international governing body the UCI to recomend what penalty should be handed out. At the moment there seems amazingly to be confusion as to which body should impose a penalty. Should it be the UCI or should it be the individual country federations of the riders in question. The latest information we have is that a brain-storming conference will be held this Tuesday in Switzerland featuring the UCI president, 3 vice-presidents and team managers. An announcement of what is agreed upon is expected on Thursday. We'll keep you in touch next weekend. The major problem facing sport with EPO is that there is still no direct test for it which opens it up to abuse. In cycling riders are currently given what's best described as health checks, to look for the effects of using EPO, the main one being a high percentage of red blood cells. If a riders count is deemed too high they must take a break from competition until it returns to what is considered a safe level. It is the best that science can provide at the moment. So, will a test be available for the 2000 Olympics? Last week IOC president Juan Antonia Samaranch said yes. But, is it a confidence shared by those at the Australian Institute of Sport who are working on a breakthrough?
Joining me now is Robin Parrasotto the principal researcher for the AIS study into EPO testing. Mr Parrasotto, good morning.
Parrasotto: Good morning, Karen.
Karen Tighe: Are you as confident as Mr Samaranch?
Parrasotto: I'm confident in that we've got a very, very good screening test. What we don't have is a definite, direct test for the detection of EPO. As a side light to that I've been talking to overseas researchers and they feel that probably the way to go with EPO is to actually look at indirect blood markers rather than the drug itself. That stems from the fact that not only is there EPO out there but there will soon be other drugs which mimic the effect of EPO.
Karen Tighe: It's an ongoing problem and it's a huge problem in sport at the moment, both EPO and human growth hormone, that there are no direct tests yet for either of those drugs. Is there a feeling of optimism Mr Parrasotto that in your profession something may be found in the next couple of years or is it an on going source of frustration?
Parrasotto: I guess it's frustrating in the sense that there is nothing available now Karen but I know from talking to colleagues at the drug-testing laboratories in Sydney that they are working on some definitive tests. I guess the other factor in this is that if, and when, you do have a direct test is it capable of detecting the substance following a certain period of time because with EPO it is essentially cleared from the system within the first 24 to 4 8 hours. So, realistically you probably wouldn't be able to detect the drug at competition time anyway.
Karen Tighe: So, what is this saying. What message is this sending out for those who were hopeful of having a test for 2000, Mr Samaranch included?
Parrasotto: I guess the message would be that if this project has a successful outcome and the IOC accept it as part of their stategy into drug detection. The test is ready to go now. There is absolutely no reason why the test couldn't be in place for Sydney 2000. It's just whether the Olympic committee would want to accept it as a strategy in their fight against drugs in sport, in general.
Karen Tighe: Have you and your research team been in touch with the IOC to assess their opinion at the moment?
Parrasotto: No, we haven't had any contact. Either from us, or from them in regard to this particular project which has been a little bit disappointing.
Karen Tighe: Disappointing and surprising you would think?
Parrasotto: I am surprised. The IOC has collaborated in a study into EPO in Europe earlier this year and they did as I understand it partially fund that project. But, they were looking at essentially different markers of EPO than what we are. And I would have that the ears were pricked and somebody would have made some sort of inquiry as to what was going on, yes.
Karen Tighe: Have you had much contact with the project that is happening in Europe at the moment?
Parrasotto: No. None directly. Although I had spoken to one of the researchers from Canada and it's very hard to get information out of researchers sometimes. I know what they were looking at but what I don't know is what they found. But I've got a fairly good grasp of what they found. Again, it is an indirect marker of EPO but from what I've read it could be a fairly reliable test.
Karen Tighe: So, Mr Parrasotto is there a competition amongst the researchers around the world to see who can be the first lab to come up with some detection test for EPO or human growth hormone or is there a sense of working together?
Parrasotto: Oh no. With the researchers that I'm a ssociated with there is absolutely no evidence that we are all competing against each other, if anything we have had valuable support and imput from researchers overseas. I think in terms of finding a test for EPO it has been really a collabrative process.
Karen Tighe: So, in the lay person's term, at this point of time, you would be confident to say there is a test that could be applied at the 2000 Olympics to help detect EPO?
Parrasotto: Yes. I mean the test is available now. What we are endeavouring to do now is just to see how effective the test is when tested in the field.
Karen Tighe: And when do you hope to have the initial findings of that study?
Parrasotto: If everything falls into place Karen, we should have some initial results by the end of November, early December this year. And that would give us enough time to be able to present the findings to say the International Olympic Committee who I understand have set themselves a timeframe or limit of February next year to set in place stratagies for blood testing that they are going to introduce for the Sydney 2000 Games.
Karen Tighe: Alright Mr ParRasotto, thank you for bringing us up to date with the work at the AIS and thanks again for your time on "Grandstand" this morning.
Parrasotto: It's a pleasure, Karen.
Karen Tighe: Medical scientist with the AIS and the principal researcher in their study into EPO, Robin Parrasotto.
The riders use epoetin to increase the red blood cells so that increased quantities of oxygen can be transported via the blood to the muscles. The upside is higher endurance and the downside is that the high volume of red blood cells increases the chance of blood clots (thromboembolism).
The UCI has opted for an indirect measure of EPO use because there is no reliable test. Instead the rider is checked for the ratio of red blood cells called the "packed-cell volume" and should it be > 0.50 this is suggestive of EPO use. The UCI then take the rider's licence away on the basis of the high volume being a health threat.
Research done over 16 months by two doctors in the Netherlands (J.J.M. Marx and P.C.J. Vergouwen, University Hospital Utrecht) examined the packed-cell volume of 46 high-performance athletes. The control was that the athletes all were trusted to have used no EPO. Another 278 non-athletes packed-cell contents were also acquired for comparative purposes. The results are very interesting.
Two of the male elites and 4 of the non-athletes had a ratio above 50 per cent. If they were clean then the tests would discriminate against them unfairly.