Drugs in sport — testing results from the South African Laboratory 1995 - 2002

Authors

  • PJ van der Merwe South African Doping Control Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2004/v16i1a191

Abstract

Objective. To summarise the results of the past 8 years obtained at the South African Doping Control Laboratory and to compare the results with international statistics.

Method. Screening procedures were performed on 14 017 urine samples collected from competitors in 54 different sporting codes during the period 1995 - 2002. Samples were analysed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the presence of prohibited substances, which are listed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Results. The results obtained were compared with those of the IOC-accredited laboratories. Prohibited substances were detected in 300 samples (2.14%), of which 45.6% contained anabolic agents and 34.6% stimulants. The positive samples from the IOC laboratories contained 58.7% anabolic agents and 20.8% stimulants. Testosterone and nandrolone were the anabolic agents most frequently detected in positive samples, both in South Africa and internationally. The ephedrines as a group accounted for most stimulants detected in positive samples.

Conclusion. It is of concern that the percentage of positive samples (2.14%) obtained in our laboratory is higher than the 1.70% in IOC laboratories. It is therefore necessary that doping control to curb the use of prohibited substances should continue and expand.

South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol.16(1) 2004: 29-32

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Author Biography

  • PJ van der Merwe, South African Doping Control Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
    P J van der Merwe Department of Pharmacology University of the Free State PO Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: 051-401 3182 Fax: 051-444 1523 E-mail: gnfmpvdm.md@mail.uovs.ac.za

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Published

2004-12-03

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2004)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2004 South African Journal of Sports Medicine

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The South African Journal of Sports Medicine reserves copyright of the material published. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License. Material submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Sports Medicine is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The South African Journal of Sports Medicine does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.

How to Cite

van der Merwe, P. (2004). Drugs in sport — testing results from the South African Laboratory 1995 - 2002. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 16(1), 29-32. https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2004/v16i1a191
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