The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will host its inaugural research symposium entitled “Oxygen Transport Enhancing Agents and Methods,” Oct. 4-7, 2002 in Atlanta, USADA Senior Managing Director Larry Bowers announced Monday.
“In the aftermath of the blood doping cases at the Sale Lake City Winter Olympic Games, it is important that the anti-doping community be united in developing the science and rules to eliminate all forms of supplying above normal amounts of oxygen to the muscles,” said Bowers, who earned his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Georgia.
The purpose of the anti-doping symposium is to discuss the science behind doping with oxygen transport-enhancing agents and methods, the potential for developing a uniform testing scheme and to develop a research agenda and timeline to make the science or legal aspects of testing more efficient. Attendees include external scientific experts, IOC-accredited laboratory scientists and scientists from national and international organizations.
In addition to the widely discussed EPO (erythropoietin), other forms of blood manipulation to enhance oxygen delivery include transfusion of red blood cells, use of blood substitutes such as polymeric hemoglobin, and plasma volume expansion.
USADA is the independent anti-doping agency for Olympic sports in the United States, and is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication process for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.