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Track Athletes Subject To Blood Testing At Olympic Trials

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Bill Ward/The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2008

Updated: 06/27/2008 10:03 am

TAMPA -- For the first time in the history of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, athletes will be subject to blood testing during the competition, which begins Friday in Eugene, Ore, the Tribune has learned.

The testing will be conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in conjunction with testing rules set out by USA Track and Field and the sport's world governing body, the IAAF, USADA spokesperson Erin Hanan said. Typically, the top three finishers at the track and field trials are tested, as well as random athletes.

Blood testing will also be performed at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, which start Sunday in Omaha, Neb.

USATF director of communications Jill Greer said athletes at the trials will still undergo testing through urinalysis, but the blood testing is being done to help catch athletes using performance-enhancing substances difficult to detect through urinalysis -- such as human growth hormone (HGH) -- or drugs and procedures that aid in the enhancement of oxygen transfer, such as synthetic hemoglobin and blood transfusions.

"Our [track] athletes very accustomed to being drug tested through urinalysis any time, any place, anywhere, 24-7, in addition to at our events," Greer said. "But they do need to be aware and be prepared for the possibility they will have blood taken as well."

Athletes who have qualified fore the track trials were notified Tuesday by the USATF via e-mail that a two-part blood test (hormone and blood-profiling tests) will be conducted during the competition. Two, 3-millileter tubes of blood will be drawn, forming the "A" sample and "B" sample. For the blood profiling, one three-milliliter tube is used. USADA says the total amount of blood taken from an athlete will be a little more than half a tablespoon.

Former Lakewood High and Indiana University standout Rose Richmond, a 2004 Athens Olympics qualifier in the long jump, said she welcomes the blood testing at this year's trials.

"I don't like needles but I don't like people cheating, either," said Richmond. "They have to do what they have to do. I'll just close my eyes and hold someone's hand when they take my blood."

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