Hamilton blood test shows 'inconsistencies'

shaybh

Just published rhis morning (Europian time).

http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/6984.0.html

Time Cop

It's interesting to compare the headlines:

Cyclingnews.com:
"Hamilton positive"

VeloNews.com (for which Hamilton writes a column):
"Hamilton blood tests show 'inconsistencies' "

The Associated Press:
"Tyler Hamilton's cycling team told he failed tests"

Rollo

as far as inconsistencies they are basically saying a positive result. The new method of drug testing that can detect blood transfusions, growth hormones etc does not work like a traditional blood test.
They used to test for specific drugs however in the new system the blood is tested and if positive it returns "inconsistencies" as reffered to in the VeloNews headline. These inconsistencies then indicate what particular form of doping has taken place.

Rollo

hawkes

Saw someone on another posting said he is blaming surgery he had earlier in the year. Having had surgery about two years ago after an accident and having to receive a blood transfusion could this be a cause? and I don't remeber him having a surgery and not all surgery requires a blood transfusion.

On the other post I asked this same question how does the new test (in use at this year's TDF and since then) show that recycled your own blood (espiacially if the blood you take out is not enhanced but merely stored and put back in)?

run_and_ride

It was Lance Armstrong's blood. Lance loaned it to him since he wasn't using it for the Olympics. So, really Lance won the Gold Medal. Add that to his list of accomplishments.

I just ordered 10 more Livestrong bracelets.

In all seriousness, this is very disturbing. I say lifetime bans for anyone caught doping. Would that stop it?

Virenque

Nice said, Flyer! Very good and simple explanation..

Roadie_scum

Can you provide an example of this? (Even just the trial, not the specific athletes).

Nicko71

How's This Theory?

Hamilton races badly at tour. Starts to prepare for olympics. Someone at Phonak mixes up the blood they've withdrawn from Tyler with blood drawn from another rider. Tyler thinks its fair and legal to put his own blood back in, just to give him a lift, not enough to be detected or "unfair" (After all aren't they all doing at least that?). The blood is put in, but its someone else's. Ooooops!!! Tyler claims innocence (in his mind legitimately becuase he didnt suspect the mix-up). No one believes him because the results (from two sources) speak for themselves. He goes on to fight the claims because he genuinely thinks he didnt do anything wrong. He gets banned anyway because despite his legit claims of innocence, the results are conclusive. hmmmmm!! I feel sorry for the guy either way. I hope he is innocent and found to be. But it doesnt look good.

Roadie_scum

I don't disagree with any of what you've said particularly. Mainly agree. Novel performance enhancing uses of common drugs that are not properly understood happens all the time - abuterol and corticoids. I've made the point quite often that there is a lack of research and understanding into the precise action of performance enhancing substances. Ask your local doctor if you can get a performance enhancement by using cortico-steroids and see how they react. No doubt athletes also use untested, unapproved drugs (PFC and HBOC are the obvious examples).

However, I'm sceptical about athletes joining clinical trials for a performance enhancing benefit. Clinical trials will only allow entry if you have the specific disease or condition that the drug is meant to treat. Although athletes might be able to source the substances some other way (and I would say do so), it would be impossible for a bodybuilder/weightlifter to join a clinical trial of a muscular dystrophy drug (for example). Trials are moderated by an ethics committee and tend to be run with the goal of publication in a peer reviewed journal (or suppression by an overbearing pharmaceutical company that provides funding, but that's another issue...). It simply wouldn't be an option to sneak in a bunch of elite athletes. What kind of clinical trial could possibly be joined by an athlete seeking performance enhancement (unless the enhancement sought was removal of a condition that compromised performance like asthma)?

I know that athletes take drugs that are at phase 1, or even before - approved only for animal use. I still can't see them enrolling in clinical trials. For a start, it would be to open to discovery by others. Doping athletes tend to be very secretive. Could you please provide some more information on this? I am interested in what you've said, but to my mind this claim about athletes enrolling in clinical trials compromises the integrity of the other information you've stated.

Thanks for the link to the Time article btw, a good read.

Roadie_scum

I still remain to be convinced on this one, but it's an interesting idea.



Corticoids have a novel performance enhancing use in high dosages on the day of an event. This isn't described in the textbooks but you'll find some sports medicine types are familiar with it. I was surprised too when I first heard, but I trust my source well (several sources now, some having worked with national and international sporting federations).



A lot of drug company's clinical trials work is done in public hospitals and universities, reviewed by independent practitioners and other experts, ethics committees, etc. I think it's more transparent than you make out.




Interesting info in that article. I have a whole lot of stuff on doping, but I don't keep it very well organised. Perhaps when I have time I will send some through.

Cheers.

Roadie_scum

Bit more on corticoids:

As well as their well described action in reducing inflammation and pain, in high doses cortico's are likely to be ergogenic in endurance exercise for a number of reasons.
-Higher rate of lipolysis spares glycogen.
-Promotes gluconeogenisis, allows higher blood glucose for longer (drop off in blood glucose precipitates 'glycogen flat' and immediate drop in performance).
-Mild stimulatory/euphoric effect enhances athletes ability to push past normal physical limits.
-Promote increased central nervous system activity.
(-Normally described analgesic and anti-inflammatory action also helps athlete push past normal limits.)

Despite the long term risk of catabolisis and muscle and connective tissue degradation, the availability and low price of cortico's makes them the drug of choice in amateur racing in a lot of Europe.