CONI reports Beijing positive
- By Charles Pelkey
- Published Apr. 28, 2009
- Updated Sep. 23, 2009 at 10:50 AM UTC
Retest shows seven CERA positives from six athletes
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) announced Tuesday it has learned that one of that country’s athletes tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance at last summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
According to a news release issued Tuesday, CONI was informed of a positive A sample and has notified the athlete of the result. Under the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, he or she has the option to ask that his B sample be tested to confirm the result.
News of the result was sent to CONI following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to re-test 948 samples from the Games. According to the IOC, 948 samples were subjected to further analysis using tests for Insulin Growth Factor and for the new generation of EPO, known as CERA.
According to the IOC, none of the samples tested positive for IGF, but seven samples, submitted by six different athletes, tested positive for CERA.
“The further analysis of the Beijing samples that we conducted should send a clear message that cheats can never assume that they have avoided detection,” said Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission. “The vast majority of athletes do not seek an unfair advantage. We intend to do all we can to ensure that they have a fair environment for competition.”
FILED UNDER: News / Road TAGS: Olympics
Charles Pelkey
Charles Pelkey joined VeloNews in 1994 after serving as press secretary for former GOP Whip Alan K. Simpson in the U.S. Senate. Pelkey has worked as a journalist since 1985 and held a number of editorial positions at VeloNews including Senior Editor of VeloNews.com. Pelkey earned a JD from the University of Wyoming College of Law and lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with Diana, his wife of 25 years, and their two children, Philip and Annika, whose presence serves as a constant reminder of what really matters. Pelkey left VeloNews in July, 2011, but continues to be a regular contributor. Charles can now be found at liveupdateguy.com