The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has revealed the results of a study highlighting the positive impact of anti-doping controls in the fight against doping in sports. Recently published, the study analyzes how testing and the use of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) influence the detection of erythropoietin receptor agonists (ERA), providing key insights to improve global anti-doping strategies.
This announcement comes at a critical time when the sports community is seeking more effective solutions to ensure the integrity of competitions. The report emphasizes that undergoing a test, even for the first time, significantly deters athletes from resorting to doping. It also highlights the value of the ABP as a tool in detecting and preventing the use of banned substances.
STUDY RESULTS
The study concluded that most adverse analytical results (AAR) related to ERA occur in the first sample taken from an athlete, progressively decreasing with subsequent tests. It was also shown that tests conducted in competition are more likely to detect ERA than those done out of competition. This finding challenges the conventional belief that athletes avoid doping immediately before competition.
“An athlete with no testing history perceives a lower risk of being caught,” explained Dr. Reid Aikin, co-author of the study and Associate Director of the ABP program at WADA. This approach reveals how initial tests have a significant impact on deterring doping, showing that regular testing increases the perceived risk among athletes.
ATHLETE BIOLOGICAL PASSPORT
The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) also proved to be an effective tool, increasing detection rates of ERA in endurance athletes by up to six times compared to those not part of the program. This tool not only allows for continuous monitoring but also optimizes resource use by directing tests toward cases with the highest likelihood of detection.
“The ABP not only detects doping cases but also guides anti-doping organizations on how to better allocate their resources,” added Tristan Equey, ABP analyst at WADA. This is crucial, as ERA analysis is costly and is carried out under a carefully planned strategy that assesses risk within each sports population.
