Knowing the Gene Doping.

The gene is the biologic unit of the heredity and they are simplified codes for the protein synthesis. In some cases, these genes are defective and have wrong information that entail a lack or viceverse in the protein synthesis. In this join, the genetic therapy will try to repair the defective gene. But in the same way, it will be possible modify the genes with the purpose of achieve a biological advantange that can enhance the sport performance.

That fact cause that the WADA considered the gene doping as a ilegal method in the prohibid list. The following procedures are consider by the WADA as prohibited, since they have the potential to enhance performance:

1. The use of polymers of nucleic acids or nucleic acid analogues.

 2. The use of gene editing agents designed to alter genome sequences and/or the transcriptional or epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

3. The use of normal or genetically modified cells

However, is not easy to detec that genes have been modified. In the physical activity context there are several genes that carry the information of enhance endurance (EPO) or proteins which increase the muscle mass (Growth hormone).

Nowadays, the genetic therapy is not aprobed medically since could deliver in nocive effect. In a short term, this method can produce hard inmune-respone that could cause the death or the development of diseases as leukemia. In the long term, due to the lack of control of the gene expression, the integrates genes could produce substances althoug they are not required, which could increase the risk of tumours or lead to cardiovascular problems.

A hard reverse for Argentine cycling

Today, six Argentine cyclists have been accused of doping by the UCI (International Cycling Union) after the positive results in the tests which had been done on January and February, when the accused men were competing in the competitions ‘’Vuelta a San Juan’’ and ‘’Doble Bragado’’.

The UCI communicated to the media that Gonzalo Najar and Gastón Emiliano Javier gave positive results, three cyclists gave ‘’no-negative results’’ and another refused to do the test. The first of them tested positive for CERA (Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator), that had been used by others known athletes to improve their performance. Here you can see some of them:

The rider was surprised in a sample collected the first day of the race, when later, casually, he won the queen stage by nearly two minuts between the second rider and him. Also, his teammate Gastón has been suspended for a doping with Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. 

Both riders are now suspended, and their team, SEP de San Juan, is waiting for a decision from the UCI, that could decide the suspension from 15 to 45 days, as the Article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules says.

Article 7.12.1 UCI Anti-Doping Rules

Do you think that this is a hard reverse for Argentine cycling? Do you agree with the possible suspension?

Thanks for reading us,

Sergio Torreblanca.

Bibliography:

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/uci-confirms-vuelta-san-juan-winner-gonzalo-najars-positive-test-cera-378965

https://www.infobae.com/deportes-2/2018/05/08/se-confirmaron-seis-casos-de-doping-en-el-ciclismo-argentino/

https://www.clarin.com/deportes/polideportivo/noticia-durisima-ciclismo-argentino_0_SJzWBpa6z.html

https://tn.com.ar/sociedad/ciclismo-argentino-se-confirmaron-seis-casos-de-doping-en-deportistas-nacionales_867515

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_erythropoietin_receptor_activator
http://www.uci.ch

The Kenyan 1500m runner Asbel Kiprop, another doping confirmed

Last week, the Kenyan newspaper ''The Standard'' revealed that a Kenyan athlete had a positive result in a test, but they did not reveal the name. Yesterday, we knew the name, Asbel Kiprop.

Asbel Kiprop, a Kenyan star who had won the gold medal in the Olympic Games of 2008, was accused of doping with EPO on 27 november 2017. Nevertheless, he said to the Britain newspaper ''The Guardian'' that he had not used this type of methods, and also, he had fought against doping in Kenya.

You can find information about EPO here: EPO review. Collected from https://www.msssi.gob.es/.

In a statement, the AIU (Athletics Integrity Unit) have said this: “The AIU is satisfied that there has been no mix-up or tampering with the sample and that the sample collected from the athlete on 27 November 2017 was the same sample analysed by the laboratory and reported as an adverse analytical finding.”. Moreover, they added: “The AIU has confirmed that the doping control assistant involved in testing Mr Kiprop on 27 November 2017 [who is known to Mr Kiprop] admitted that he provided Mr Kiprop with advanced notice of the testing that was to take place on that date. This is extremely disappointing.”

If you do not know who is Kiprop, you can watch this video:

The Kenyan star refused the results, and recognise that the test assistant had asked him for money, and as he did not give him the money, the assistant had changed the sample.

Now, Kiprop have to wait until the AIU, IAAF and WADA decision. Which do you think wouldbe the correct penalty for Kiprop? Do you think that assistants test can change the results of a doping test?

Thanks for reading us,
Sergio Torreblanca.

Bibliography:
http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/internacional/noticias/9111434/05/18/Estrella-del-atletismo-keniano-da-positivo-por-dopaje-medios.html
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2018/05/04/confirmado-doping-epo-campeon-olimpico-1500-pekin/00031525455227130573131.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/may/04/epo-suspect-asbel-kiprop-athletics-integrity-unit
http://www.marca.com/atletismo/2018/05/04/5aec969a268e3e12648b459f.html
García L., Antorán B. & López A. (2009). Eritropoyetina: revisión de sus indicaciones. Sistema Nacional de Salud, 33(1): 3-9.

The end of an era, Lance Armstrong

Hi everyone, today I will talk about one of the biggest cyclist of the story, that messed his career because of the doping.
The ex professional and famous cyclist Lance Armstrong were accused of doping some years ago. He had used substances as EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone and corticoids. Because of this, the last week he have been called to pay to the US Government 5 millions US$.

The ex Armstrong teammate, Floyd Landis, was the person who opened the doors to the discover of the Armstrong doping. LAndis accused him of doping when they were competing for the same colours.
When the USADA discovered Armstrong, they removed the seven trophies of champion of ‘Tour de la France’ that the cyclist had won and did not never allow to compete Armstrong. The US Postal, that sponsored Armstrong a big part of their career, claim more than 100 millions US$, that included all that they had been paid to Armstrong and images damages. Nevertheless, the US Government concluded that he ‘only’ had to pay a 5% of this figure, 5 millions US$.

Elliot Peters, Armstrong lawyer, told yesterday that this payment finish with all of the Armstrong acusement of doping to improve his performance. The ex ciclist admitted the acusement of doping and notice that is happy about finishing this sad stage of his life.
Do you consider that this cases of doping should finish with a payment? Or do you think that there would be another penalty?

Thanks for reading us,
Sergio Torreblanca.

Bibliography:
http://caracol.com.co/radio/2018/04/19/internacional/1524173855_935419.html
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2127335-el-doping-persigue-a-lance-armstrong-ahora-tuvo-que-pagar-us-5-millones-para-cerrar-un-caso-por-fraude-en-estados-unidos
https://eju.tv/2018/04/el-exciclista-lance-armstrong-acordo-el-pago-de-usd-5-millones-en-la-causa-que-lo-acusaba-de-fraude-federal/
https://www.clarin.com/deportes/polideportivo/lance-armstrong-pagara-millones-dolares-gobierno-unidos-escandalo-dopaje_0_ByiMYFI2f.html
http://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/ciclismo/armstrong-el-hombre-que-construyo-un-imperio-a-traves-del-dopaje-207628

The case of Marco Pantani: Doping or sports fraud?

Marco Pantani was a Italian profesional cyclist between 1992 and 2003. This won a Giro of Italy, a Tour of France and a bronze medal in the road cycling world on 1995.

Marco Pantani, nicknamed “El pirata” got his best results in cycling trials in stages, and it was until 2014 the last italian to win the Tour of France and the last cyclist to win the Giro of Italy and Tour of Italy in the same year.

In the Giro of 1990, after winning in four stages and being a leader in the race, was disqualified to find high levels of hematocrit in his blood, what it a case of doping with EPO. Specifically, 52% of blood hematocrit was found, more tan 50% allowed.

The tests were made by surprise in Touring of Madonna di Campliglio Hotel. Later, a counter analysis confirmed the positive, so Pantani was suspended of his activity as cyclist.

This case of doping has led to great controversy, since from the beginning believed that this case could have been rigged by the mafia. In 2014, the italian prosecutor’s office reopened the case of Pantani to try to clarify if this had really been a victim of the mafia.

It was suspected that the Camorra could be behind of this case, so they would have extorted the doctor who performed the tests to alter the results, so that the Pantani sample was positive in the hematocrit concentration. The modification of these tests was carried out because the Camorra had made large bets against Pantani, and because it had many chances to win the turn for the path that had led during the last stages, the last option was to set aside to Pantani of the competition.

After the investigation, there were not enough evidence to determine a definitive resolution, and this, along with already made had prescribed, it was decided to close the case again.

Finally, on February 14, 2004, Pantani died at the  hotel Le Rose in Rimini, for an alleged overdose of cocaine, although like the case of doping, his death is also full of doubts about whether it was a suicide or a murder by the Mafia.