Anti‐doping analyses at the Sochi Olympic and Paralympic Games 2014

Abstract

The laboratory anti-doping services during XXII Winter Olympic and XI Paralympic games in Sochi in 2014 were provided by a satellite laboratory facility located within the strictly secured Olympic Park. This laboratory, established and operated by the personnel of Antidoping Center, Moscow, has been authorized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to conduct doping control analyses. The 4-floor building accommodated the most advanced analytical instrumentation and became a place of attraction for more than 50 Russian specialists and 25 foreign experts, including independent observers. In total, 2134 urine and 479 blood samples were delivered to the laboratory and analyzed during the Olympic Games (OG), and 403 urine and 108 blood samples - during the Paralympic Games (PG). The number of erythropoietin tests requested in urine was 946 and 166 at the OG and PG, respectively. Though included in the test distribution plan, a growth hormone analysis was cancelled by the Organizing Committee just before the Games. Several adverse analytical findings have been reported including pseudoephedrine (1 case), methylhexaneamine (4 cases), trimetazidine (1 case), dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (1 case), clostebol (1 case), and a designer stimulant N-ethyl-1-phenylbutan-2-amine (1 case).

Determination of growth hormone releasing peptides metabolites in human urine after nasal administration of GHRP‐1, GHRP‐2, GHRP‐6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin

“…Recently some methods for their effective detection in urine were developed . The routine screening for GHRPs was successfully implemented for the analyses of more than 1000 official sample during XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 . Cases of GHRPs doping by athletes were identified in anti‐doping laboratories of Montreal (GHRP‐2) and Moscow (GHRP‐6, Hexarelin, reported to Anti‐Doping Administration & Management System).…”

Pseudomonas aeruginosa arylsulfatase: a purified enzyme for the mild hydrolysis of steroid sulfates

“…In contrast, no generally accepted method has been established for the hydrolysis of phase II steroidal sulfate conjugates, and they are not routinely included in human anti‐doping screens . Steroid sulfates represent a significant fraction of the steroid metabolites and including them in analysis could improve the sensitivity and retrospectivity of sports drug testing.…”

Analytical detection of trimetazidine produced by metabolic conversion of lomerizine in doping control analysis

“…[7] After the official prohibition of trimetazidine use in 2014, one adverse analytical finding of trimetazidine was reported during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. [8] Exactly one year later, the classification of trimetazidine on the WADA prohibited list was moved from sub-section S6.b (specified stimulant) to the newly created sub-section S4.5.3 (metabolic modulators), as it is pharmacologically classified as a modulator of cardiac metabolism. [9] Consequently, trimetazidine was classified as a banned substance both in-competition and out-of-competition.…”