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In this article, you will learn a great deal about the International Olympics Committee (IOC). You will also be surprised to read that it is quite possible that in a few years' time, the IOC might well be powerless in detecting a new form of performance booster.

Though the words "urine test" might not mean much to you and I, they can make certain athletes shiver in their Nikes; these are athletes who have not necessarily adhered to the "rules" and have gone down the uncertain road of taking performance enhancing drugs.

A Brief History

As early as 1954, Russian Olympic lifters were using anabolic steroids for muscle-building. Today there are around 36 different anabolic steroids used by various athletes and weight-lifters to get them over the edge; some of these steroids were not even developed for humans.

In 1960 several cyclists died suddenly at the Olympics in Rome. In 1967, a British cyclist who had taken stimulants died of a heart attack. In 1968, formal drug-testing began at the Olympics in Mexico City.

In 1975 the IOC finally banned anabolic steroids. By 1982, it added Testosterone and Caffeine to its banned list.

Even though these substances were banned by the IOC, a reliable test for them was not developed until the 1983 games in Caracas, Venezuela. The test was developed by the Germans, using gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometers. This instrument became known as the GCMS and became the industry standard. As a result of the use of GCMS, 19 athletes tested positive for drugs at the Pan American Games in Caracas.

In 1984 some athletes tried a new method of getting through the GCMS machine. They took some of their blood and had it stored a few weeks before the competition. Within the next few weeks, their body made more blood and it reached the normal balance. Then just before the competition they re-injected their blood back into their bodies, meaning that they had abnormally high red blood cell counts, which enabled them to have more oxygen and thus more endurance capabilities.

Performance enhancing drugs are not the only drugs banned by the IOC. Beta-Blockers, which in effect slow you down are also banned. Beta Blockers have the effect of slowing your heart down and are perfect for people like sharpshooters and archers who need calm nerves and a steady hand.

With the new equipment and new drugs being added to the IOC banned list, athletes continued to look for newer drugs and newer ways of avoiding being caught.

At the 1986 Olympics in Seoul it was alleged that the Russians had their own ship in the harbour across from the games, where they were being monitored so they wouldn't test positive for any drugs.

In 1989 a well-known athlete was quoted as saying at least 40% of the athletes had used steroids at some point in their preparations for the games.

At the Atlanta games in 1996, the new High Resolution Spectrometer (HRMS) was used for the first time. This device cost just under $1m and had 10 times the resolution of the GCMS. HRMS has the ability to detect steroid metabolites way over the 1 month limit of GCMS.

In 1996 the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) was formed to combat the spread of performance-enhancing drugs. $25m was spent to get WADA off the ground. WADA has gone on to expand on the IOC's work. It recently announced that the banned list would include Bupropin and aromatase inhibitors. It also stated that athletes who want to use asthma medication will need to provide Clinical Proof. Asthma medications are thought to contain Beta-2 Agonists, which can have performance-enhancing effects. Formoterol and Salmeterol (which contain Beta-2 Agonists) will also need prior clearance.

EPO

In the late 1980s EPO became the drug of choice for many athletes. EPO is a natural peptide hormone, produced in the body and stimulates the production of red blood cells. Since 1988 EPO has been blamed for the death of over 20 cyclists. It is believed that by taking too much EPO, their blood thickened and clotted, causing their deaths.

Unfortunately there was no accurate test to directly identify the presence of too much EPO. Officials tried to do the best they could by taking blood samples just before competitions. If an athletes hematocrit or red blood cell percentage was higher than 50, then they would be banned from the race (normal levels being around 42).

HGH & Testosterone

Like EPO, Testosterone and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) are also very difficult to test for. The reason for this is that all 3 are naturally found in the body, so it is rather difficult to find out if someone has taken more of them. Both products add muscle mass to the body without leaving any trace for the GCMS machine to pick up.

HGH is a very expensive supplement, yet many athletes use it. What they don't often know however is that the product comes from dead humans or pigs. In 1996 HGH floating around Olympic athletes was being produced by an Eastern European company from dead humans.

Testosterone Esters and precursors are also almost undetectable, as Testosterone is also produced naturally in the body. Testosterone exits the body rather quickly; esters delay this exit, thus meaning the athlete will have more Testosterone and ultimately more muscle.

As for this Testosterone problem, the IOC looks for testosterone and epitestosterone in athletes' blood. In normal males, the ratio is around 1 to 1. If this ratio is 6 to 1 or greater, then the test is classified as positive for IOC's purposes. If an athlete is found to have more than 6-1 Testosterone in their body, then chances are that they have used some form of drug. There is a small chance that they may be 1 in 2000 males who will have naturally high levels of Testosterone, but this is difficult to prove.

To make matters slightly more complicated, Asian males have lower levels of Testosterone than blacks or Caucasians, so an Asian male may have a hard time proving he is the 1 in 2000.

Diuretics

Diuretics are possibly not as well known as steroids, but they are as widely used as any other drug in sport. Many athletes can clear their system of many steroids by using Diuretics.

Diuretics are also used widely in bodybuilding. The most famous people for using diuretics are unfortunately dead. Andreas Muntzer and Mohammed Benaziza were famous for their low bodyfat and their ripped condition. Upon their death, they were found to have literally no water left in their bodies.

There are over 13 main diuretics that athletes use to stimulate urination and the excretion of drugs from their system.

DNA Manipulation, The New Weapon For Athletes

It is envisaged that within a decade, athletes will be able to inject themselves with genetic vaccines. These vaccines will make the athlete's body produce more muscle-building substances, increasing levels of various hormones such as EPO. If the premenition is right and athletes do reach this stage, it is though that almost any methods used currently by the IOC will be unable to detect a difference between outside DNA injected into the athlete and the athlete's own DNA.

So What is Banned Under the IOC List?

STIMULANTS

Amineptine, amiphenazole, amphetamines, bromantan, caffeine(1), carphedon, cocaine, ephedrines(2), fencamfamin, formoterol (3), mesocarb, pentetrazol, pipradrol, salbutamol(3), salmeterol(3), terbutaline(3), ... and related substances.

(1) For caffeine the definition of a positive is a concentration in urine greater than 12 micrograms per millilitre.

(2) For cathine, the definition of a positive is a concentration in urine greater than 5 micrograms per millilitre. For ephedrine and methylephedrine, the definition of a positive is a concentration in urine greater than 10 micrograms per millilitre. For phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine, the definition of a positive is a concentration in urine greater than 25 micrograms per millilitre.

(3) Permitted by inhaler only to prevent and/or treat asthma and exercise-induced asthma.. Written notification by a respiratory or team physician that the athlete has asthma and/or exercise-induced asthma, is necessary to the relevant medical authority prior to competition.. At the Olympics Games, athletes who request permission to inhale a permitted beta agonist will be assessed by an independent medical panel.

Please note: All imidazole preparations are acceptable for topical use. Vasoconstrictors may be administered with local anaesthetic agents. Topical preparations (e.g. nasal, ophthalmological, rectal) of adrenaline and phenylephrine are permitted.

NARCOTICS

Buprenorphine, dextromoramide, diamorphine (heroin), methadone, morphine, pentazocine, pethidine... and related substances.

Please note: Codeine, dextromethorphan, dextropropoxyphene, dihydrocodeine, diphenoxylate, ethylmorphine, pholcodine, propoxyphene and tramadol are permitted.

ANABOLICS

ANDROGENICS

Clostebol, fluoxymesterone, metandienone, metenolone, nandrolone, 19-norandrostenediol, 19-norandrostenedione, oxandrolone, stanozolol... and related substances. Androstenediol, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone, testosterone(1)... and related substances. (1)In the case of T/E greater than 6, it is mandatory that the relevant medical authority conducts an investigation before the sample is declared positive.

BETA-2 AGONISTS

Bambuterol, clenbuterol, fenoterol, formoterol, reproterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline... and related substances.

DIURETICS

Acetazolamide, bumetanide, chlortalidone, etacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, mannitol*, mersalyl, spironolactone, triamterene ... and related substances.

PEPTIDE HORMONES

1. Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) prohibited in males only
2. Pituitary and synthetic gonadotrophins (LH) prohibited in males only
3. Corticotrophins (ACTH, tetracosactide)
4. Growth hormone (hGH)
5. Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1)

ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO)

INSULIN

Insulin is permitted only to treat athletes with certified insulin-dependent diabetes. Written certification of insulin-dependent diabetes must be obtained from an endocrinologist or team physician.

Prohibited Methods

The following procedures are prohibited:

1. Blood doping : means the administration of blood, red blood cells and/or related blood products to an athlete, which may be preceded by withdrawal of blood from the athlete, who continues to train in such a blood-depleted state.
2. Administering artificial oxygen carriers or plasma expanders;
3. Pharmacological, chemical and physical manipulation.

Prohibited Substances in Certain Circumstances

1 - Alcohol

Where the rules of a responsible authority so provide, tests will be conducted for ethanol.

2 - Cannabinoids

Where the rules of a responsible authority so provide, tests will be conducted for cannabinoids (e.g. Marijuana, Hashish). At the Olympic Games, tests will be conducted for cannabinoids. A concentration in urine of 11-nor-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (carboxy-THC) greater than 15 nanograms per millilitre constitutes doping.

3 - Local anaesthetics

Injectable local anaesthetics are permitted under the following conditions:

1. Bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, procaine, and related substances, can be used but not cocaine. Vasoconstrictor agents may be used in conjunction with local anaesthetics;
2. Only local or intra-articular injections may be administered;
3. Only when medically justified.

Where the rules of a responsible authority so provide, notification of administration may be necessary.

4 - Glucocorticosteroids

The systemic use of glucocorticosteroids is prohibited when administered orally, rectally, or by intravenous or intramuscular injection. When medically necessary, local and intra-articular injections of glucocorticosteroids are permitted. Where the rules of a responsible medical authority so provide, notification of administration may be necessary.

5 - Beta-blockers

Prohibited substances under this class include the following examples:
Acebutolol, alprenolol, atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, propranolol, sotalol... and related substances.

Urinary Concentrations

Caffeine > 12 micrograms/millilitre
Carboxy-THC > 15 nanograms/millilitre
Cathine > 5 micrograms / milliltre
Ephedrine > 10 micrograms / milliltre
Epitestosterone > 200 nanograms / millilitre
Methylephedrine > 10 micrograms / millilitre
Morphine > 1 microgram / millilitre
19-norandrosterone > 2 nanograms /millilitre in males
19-norandrosterone > 5 nanograms/millilitre in females
Phenylpropanolamine > 25 micrograms / millilitre
Pseudoephedrine > 25 micrograms / millilitre
Salbutamol(as stimulant) > 100 nanograms/millilitre
(as anabolic agent) >1000 nanograms/millilitre
T/E ratio > 6

If you are a competitive athlete, try to come back to this article and read it a few times. It could be vital in giving you the edge and making sure you stay away from anything which could potentially cause you to fail a drug test. For a more comprehensive list of banned substances, please have a look below:

STIMULANTS:
Amineptine, amfepramone, amiphenazole, amphetamine, bambuterol, bromantan, bupropion, caffeine, carphedon, cathine, cocaine, cropropamide, crotethamide, ephedrine, etamivan, etilamphetamine, etilefrine, fencamfamin, fenetylline, fenfluramine, formoterol, heptaminol, mefenorex, mephentermine, mesocarb, methamphetamine, methoxyphenamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, methylephedrine, methylphenidate, nikethamide, norfenfluramine, parahydroxyamphetamine, pemoline, pentetrazol, phendimetrazine, phentermine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pholedrine, pipradrol, prolintane, propylhexedrine, pseudoephedrine, reproterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, selegiline, strychnine, terbutaline,

NARCOTICS:
Buprenorphine, dextromoramide, diamorphine (heroin), hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, pentazocine, pethidine,

ANABOLIC AGENTS:
Androstenediol, androstenedione, bambuterol, boldenone, clenbuterol, clostebol, danazol, dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone, drostanolone, fenoterol, fluoxymesterone, formebolone, formoterol, gestrinone, mesterolone, metandienone, metenolone, methandriol, methyltestosterone, mibolerone, nandrolone, 19-norandrostenediol, 19-norandrostenedione, norethandrolone, oxandrolone, oxymesterone, oxymetholone, reproterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, stanozolol, terbutaline, testosterone, trenbolone.

DIURETICS:
Acetazolamide, bendroflumethiazide, bumetanide, canrenone, chlortalidone, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, mannitol (by intravenous injection), mersalyl, spironolactone, triamterene,

MASKING AGENTS:
Bromantan, diuretics (see above), epitestosterone, probenecid,

PEPTIDE HORMONES, MIMETICS AND ANALOGUES:
ACTH, erythropoietin (EPO), hCG*, hGH, insulin, LH(1), clomiphene(1), cyclofenil(1), tamoxifen(1), aromatase inhibitors(1) (1) prohibited in males only

BETA BLOCKERS:
Acebutolol, alprenolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, bunolol, carteolol, celiprolol, esmolol, labetalol, levobunolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol.

Please note: the above article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be followed as a guide to your sport. The above IOC list is not an exhaustive list. The IOC is always adding new products to its list. If you are uncertain about anything, please contact the IOC or relevant organisations.