There has been much said about the plans for drugs testing at the 2012 Olympic Games, with the International Olympics Committee (IOC) claiming it will test one in every two athletes for banned substances.
BBC News has reported that around 5,000 athletes will experience a drug test, an increase of 500 from the Beijing Games of 2008. The IOC plans to increase bans from two to four years for first-time offenders, and for repeat offenders, life bans could be given, in exceptional cases.
There are a range of tests that Olympians could face, such as urine, saliva, breath, hair and sweat screens - each of which have different benefits. For example, saliva tests are hygienic, and gender-neutral, whereas hair testing is highly accurate - but requires a sample to be sent to a laboratory. Urine testing is the least expensive method, and do not necessary need to go to a lab, whilst sweat tests can detect the use of drugs that are currently in the body.
Tests may often be unannounced, and director of sport at the London Organising Committee (Locog), Debbie Levans, has said of the games "We need a strong message that drugs cheats are not welcome."
The Olympics organisers will need to be highly aware of not only illegal drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana - but also for athletes indulging in "doping" - the use of drugs designed to enhance performance, such as steroids.
Athletes are banned from using any doping drugs, however it is common practice - with the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi seeing a rise in the numbers of competitors testing positive for Peds (performance-enhancing drugs). The newest drug on the block is one called DMAA, a stimulant that has recently been prohibited and causes a rise in energy, adrenaline and a highly elevated mood state. This is one of the most likely drugs to be found on athletes competing in 2012.
BBC News has reported that around 5,000 athletes will experience a drug test, an increase of 500 from the Beijing Games of 2008. The IOC plans to increase bans from two to four years for first-time offenders, and for repeat offenders, life bans could be given, in exceptional cases.
There are a range of tests that Olympians could face, such as urine, saliva, breath, hair and sweat screens - each of which have different benefits. For example, saliva tests are hygienic, and gender-neutral, whereas hair testing is highly accurate - but requires a sample to be sent to a laboratory. Urine testing is the least expensive method, and do not necessary need to go to a lab, whilst sweat tests can detect the use of drugs that are currently in the body.
Tests may often be unannounced, and director of sport at the London Organising Committee (Locog), Debbie Levans, has said of the games "We need a strong message that drugs cheats are not welcome."
The Olympics organisers will need to be highly aware of not only illegal drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana - but also for athletes indulging in "doping" - the use of drugs designed to enhance performance, such as steroids.
Athletes are banned from using any doping drugs, however it is common practice - with the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi seeing a rise in the numbers of competitors testing positive for Peds (performance-enhancing drugs). The newest drug on the block is one called DMAA, a stimulant that has recently been prohibited and causes a rise in energy, adrenaline and a highly elevated mood state. This is one of the most likely drugs to be found on athletes competing in 2012.
SHARE
