The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed on their offical Web site that further analysis of samples taken from the Beijing Games have revealed that six athletes tested positive for blood-boosting hormone CERA.
A total of 948 samples were analyzed, with seven tests, from six athletes, coming back as positive. “The further analysis of the Beijing samples that we conducted should send a clear message that cheats can never assume that they have avoided detection,” said Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC Medical Commission, in a statement. “The vast majority of athletes do not seek an unfair advantage. We intend to do all we can to ensure that they have a fair environment for competition.” In accordance with their usual procedures, the IOC is now notifying the athletes through their own National Olympic Committees, although the Italian Olympic Committee confirmed one of their male athletes was among those who tested positive. The latest round of testing, which began in January, focused primarily on endurance events in cycling, rowing, swimming and athletics. The testing took advantage of improved technology to seek evidence of the prohibited use of CERA, a new strain of EPO, and insulin. As a general rule, all top five finishers in each event, plus a further two, were drug tested.
