Media note:

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has released this statement to respond to specific issues raised in the documentary, Such is life – the Ben Cousins story and subsequent reporting in the media.  

Statement:

ASADA’s primary role is to run an anti-doping program that is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The Code defines what substances ASADA can test for and when ASADA can test for those substances.

Under the Code, ASADA can only test for stimulants (such as cocaine, crystal methamphetamine (ice) and ecstasy) in-competition. In the sport of Australian Football, this means ASADA can only test for stimulants on match day.

ASADA has a proven track record of detecting the presence of stimulants in the bodies of athletes following tests conducted on match day.

The stimulants specifically referred to in the documentary (cocaine, crystal methamphetamine (ice) and ecstasy) are generally fast acting substances which, depending on the metabolism of the person and the quantity that was taken, can leave the body quickly.

Testing for stimulants, at any time other than match day, is the responsibility of the sport if they conduct their own out-of-competition illicit drugs testing program.

ASADA has worked hard since its establishment in 2006 to raise awareness amongst athletes that they risk their health, career and reputation by using prohibited substances.

ASADA has nothing further to add beyond this statement.

Download media statement [PDF - 41KB]

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today welcomed the decision of Cycling Australia to impose a two-year period of ineligibility on cyclist, Jules Amos, for the importation of Erythropoietin (EPO).

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service intercepted five airmail packages from Thailand between 18 and 28 December 2008 and notified ASADA.

ASADA investigated and laboratory analysis confirmed that the substance contained in the vials was EPO.

EPO is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Athletes in endurance sports have misused artificial EPO as a performance-enhancing substance. The abuse of EPO is dangerous as it can lead to blood thickening, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2010 Prohibited List, EPO is prohibited at all times (both in and out-of-competition).

Mr Amos will be ineligible to participate as an athlete or support person in sport until 13 July 2012.

ASADA’s partnership with Customs and Border Protection is vital in catching doping cheats who would not be detected through traditional testing alone.

Any Australian can play their part and stamp out doping by confidentially reporting suspicious doping activity to 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232).

Download media release [PDF - 40KB]

The Australian Karting Association’s (AKA) decision to issue Townsville driver, Hayden Stephensen with a two-year period of ineligibility for the attempted use of testosterone was today welcomed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service intercepted a package containing Sustanon 250 on 1 June 2009 and notified ASADA.

Sustanon 250 is an oil-based liquid that contains testosterone compounds.

ASADA investigated the matter and a laboratory analysis of the liquid, from one of the seized vials, confirmed that the substance was testosterone.

Classed as an Anabolic Agent on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2010 Prohibited List, testosterone is prohibited both in- and out-of-competition. In addition to a sanction, athletes abusing this substance can seriously damage their health including heart and liver problems, high blood pressure and hypertension.

The AKA considered the sanction recommendation made by the independent Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel and handed down a two-year ban from sporting competition to Mr Stephensen.

Mr Stephensen will be ineligible to participate as an athlete or support person in sport until 6 July 2012.

ASADA’s partnership with Customs and Border Protection is vital in catching doping cheats who would not be detected through traditional testing alone.

Any Australian can play their part and stamp out doping by confidentially reporting suspicious doping activity to 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232).

Download media release [PDF - 41KB]

The following paragraph from page 60 of the July/August 2010 edition of the Australian Triathlete magazine should have been omitted for reasons of factual errors:
 
‘Essentially, a TUE allows athletes to use non-performance enhancing medication to treat injured body parts (lungs, joints, tendons, bones, muscle). These drugs may be inhaled (breathed in) or injected (or indeed absorbed via a patch). The drugs mentioned may be taken systemically (i.e. via a tablet or directly injected into the blood stream) to enhance performance or vastly reduce time to recover from injuries - this is not legal. The TUE allows appropriate treatment of such ailments as asthma with corticosteroids, which would otherwise show up as a positive drug test.’

Athletes and support personnel should disregard the information in this paragraph.

If you need to use a banned substance or method, for therapeutic purposes (only), you can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). TUEs are administered by ASADA’s partner organisation, the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) and they can be contacted through the ASADA Hotline 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232).

You can find out more information about the TUE process or watch a video about TUEs on the ASADA website.