AUSTRALIAN SPORTS DRUG AGENCY 1997-1998 ANNUAL REPORT
© Commonwealth of Australia
ISSN 1037-378

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Figures iii
Tables iii
Abbreviations iv
Part 1: Executive Summary 1
Chairman's summary 1
Board of directors 3
Part 2: Organisational Overview 5
ASDA at a glance 5
Establishment 5
Role 5
Clients 5
Services 6
Goals 6
People 6
Financial and staffing outcomes for 1997-98 8
Part 3: Performance Report 9
Planning and Performance Management Framework 9
Introduction 9
Enabling strategies and performance drivers 9
Reporting style 10
Critical success factors 11
Communication 20
Client focus 25
Strategic alliances 29
Accountability 33
Staff partnerships 37
Strategic breakthrough issues 41
Enhance the credibility and affordability of our drug testing service 41
Grow the business to achieve a sustainable economic future 45
Invest in our people to build a dynamic, innovative and client focused organisation 48
Play a leading role in the development of drugs-in-sport policy in Australia 52
Part 4: Other Corporate Matters 57
Miscellaneous statutory issues 57
Client Service Charter 57
Internal and external scrutiny 57
Equal employment opportunity 57
Occupational health and safety 58
Industrial democracy 59
Discretionary grants 60
Freedom of information 60
Staffing overview 60
Compliance index 61
Part 5: Appendices 63
Appendix A 63
The objects, functions and powers of the agency as specified in the ASDA Act 63
Appendix B 65
Powers of the Minister under the ASDA Act 65
Appendix C 66
Financial statements 66
Appendix D 85
International List of Incidences 85
Appendix E 87
ASDA's drug testing for 1997-98 87
Government-funded testing 1997-98 88
User-pays testing 1997-98 89
Appendix F 90
Register of Notifiable Events 90
Entries on Register of Notifiable Events from previous years where outcomes were to be advised 92
Appendix G 93
Laboratories for doping control analyses accredited by the International Olympic Committee 93

Figures
Figure 1: ASDA's organisational structure 7
Figure 2: Athletes perceive deterrent effect from ASDA programs 13
Figure 3: Athletes believe they will be tested in next 12 months 14
Figure 4: Tests conducted versus tests planned per bimonthly plan 15
Figure 5: Annual trends in event and out-of-competition testing 16
Figure 6: Client's perception of ASDA resources and educational services 22
Figure 7: Hotline education services trends from 1991-92 to 1997-98 23
Figure 8: External client satisfaction with ASDA services 26
Figure 9: Internal client service indicators for period December 1997 to May 1998 27
Figure 10: Annual event testing agreements with international clients 31
Figure 11: Corporate costs per ASL 34
Figure 12: Organisational Self Assessment - all categories: management and staff. 35
Figure 13: Staff Satisfaction Survey 1997-98 - whole organisation 39
Figure 14: ASDA's quality approach 49
Figure 15: EEO issues from 1997-98 Staff Satisfaction Survey 58
Figure 16: Staffing numbers, classifications and genders 61
Figure 17: Staffing employment breakdown 61

Tables
Table 1: Expenditure and staffing 8
Table 2: Quality of products and services performance indicators 12
Table 3: Athlete perception of banned doping practices as cheating 18
Table 4: Communication performance indicators 21
Table 5: Client focus performance indicators 25
Table 6: Strategic alliance performance indicators 30
Table 7: Accountability performance indicators 33
Table 8: Staff partnership performance indicators 38
Table 9: Enhance the credibility and affordability of our drug testing service milestones 42
Table 10: Grow the business to achieve a sustainable economic future milestones 45
Table 11: Invest in our people to build a dynamic, innovative and client focused organisation 48
Table 12: Training identified for competency development 50
Table 13: Play a leading role in the development of drugs-in-sport policy in Australia 53
Table 14: Extract from Staff Satisfaction Survey 1997-98 59
Table 15: Extract from organisational self assessment report - February 1998 60
Table 16: Compliance index 62

Detection of anabolic steroids in head hair / Xin-Sheng Deng, Akira Kurosu, Derrick J. Pounder. - (Journal of forensic sciences 44 (1999) 2 (March); p. 343-346)

• PMID: 10097359
• DOI: 10.1520/JFS14460J

Abstract

We developed a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for detection and quantitation of anabolic steroids in head hair. Following alkaline digestion and solid-phase extraction, the MO-TMS derivatives gave a specific fragmentation pattern with EI ionization. For stanozolol, the TMS-HFBA derivative showed several diagnostic ions. For androstanolone, mestanolone (methylandrostanolone), and oxymetholone two chromatographic peaks for cis and trans isomers of derivatives were seen. Recoveries were 35 to 45% for androstanolone, oxymetholone, chlorotestosterone-acetate, dehydromethyltestosterone, dehydrotestosterone, fluoxymesterone, mestanolone, methyltestosterone, and nandrolone; 52% for mesterolone, trenbolone; 65% for bolasterone; 24% for methenolone and 17% for stanozolol. Limits of detection were 0.002 to 0.05 ng/mg and of quantitation were 0.02 to 0.1 ng/mg. Seven white male steroid abusers provided head hair samples (10 to 63 mg) and urine. In the hair samples, methyltestosterone was detected in two (confirmed in urine); nandrolone in two (also confirmed in urine); dehydromethyltestosterone in four (but not found in urine); and clenbuterol in one (but not in urine). Oxymethalone was found in urine in one, but not in the hair. One abuser had high levels of testosterone: 0.15 ng/mg hair, and 1190 ng/mL urine. We conclude that head hair analysis has considerable potential for the detection and monitoring of steroid abuse.

Related case:
CAS 1998_211 Michelle Smith de Bruin vs FINA
June 7, 1999

In April 1998 the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Irish swimmer Michelle Smith de Bruin.
The Athlete's sample was taken for a out-of-competition doping test at the her home in January 1998 and analysis of the A and B urine samples showed the presence of alcohol. The concentration of alcohol (whiskey odor) was too high to be produced naturally and indicated physical manipulation.

After notification the Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the FINA Doping Panel. The Athlete denied the allegation of manipulation and argued that no prohibited substances were found in her sample. Further she contested the competence of FINA to perform un-announced anti-doping testing, including testing on swimmers when not competing and anti-doping testing in a members federations jurisdiction. The Athlete asserted that departures occurred during the sample collection procedure and claimed that the Doping Control Officers (DCOs) have manipulated her sample.

Considering the FINA Rules the Panel establish that FINA is entitled to conduct un-announced anti-doping testing contrary to the Athlete’s contestations. The Panel finds that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation due to manipulation of the sample based on the test results from the Barcelona Lab.
Here the Panel establish that the Athlete’s sample was not manipulated in the Barcelona Lab, neither during transport, or by the DCOs. Considering the evidence the Panel deems that even if the sample collection procedure was not conducted with the necessary diligence it does not lead to the conclusion that the DCOs are to be suspected of having manipulated the Athlete’s sample. The Panel concludes that the manipulation has been done by the Athlete herself.

The Panel did not find out how the manipulation was made, however to the conviction of the Panel, the Athlete herself has added alcohol to the urine, before it was decanted into the sample jars which then were sealed. The Athlete has altered the integrity of the urine, delivered in doping control. The Panel agrees with the Barcelona Lab conclusion that the reason to manipulate the sample can only be intended to make sure that something contained in the sample is not detected.

Therefore the FINA Doping Panel decides on 6 August 1998 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the decision.

Natural occurrence of steroid hormones / Sonja Hartmann, Markus Lacorn, Hans Steinhart. - (Food Chemistry 62 (1998) 1 (May); p. 7-20)

• DOI: 10.1016/S0308-8146(97)00150-7

Abstract

The natural occurrence of the sex steroid hormones progesterone, testosterone, 17β-estradiol and estrone in food was investigated in a survey of the German market basket. The main metabolic precursors, intermediates and metabolites (pregnenolone, androstenedione, hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone, androsterone, 17α-estradiol and estriol) were also included in the investigation. Particular attention was paid to DHEA, which is said to have anti-aging properties. Analysis was carried out by gas chromato-graphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The steroid patterns of pork, meat products, fish and poultry resemble those known for beef. Milk and milk products reflect the hormone profile of female cattle with high amounts of progesterone, which accumulates with increasing milk fat content. Milk products supply about 60–80% of ingested female sex steroids. Eggs are a considerable source of any of the investigated steroids and contribute to the nutritional hormone intake in the same order as meat and fish (10–20%). In vegetable food no estrogens could be detected. Plants supply testosterone in the same order as meat and milk products (20–40%) though. They contain considerable amounts of hormone precursors as well (contribution to DHEA supply: about 80%). In comparison to the human daily production of steroid hormones the nutritional supply (about 10 μgd−1 progesterone, 0.05 μg d−1 testosterone, 0.1 μg d−1 estrogens, 0.5 μg d−1 DHEA) is insignificant.

The Cardiac Toxicity of Anabolic Steroids / Mack Lee Sullivan, Charles M. Martinez, Paul Gennis, E. John Gallagher. - (Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases 41 (1998) 1 (July/August); p. 1-15)

• PMID: 9717856
• DOI: 10.1016/s0033-0620(98)80019-4

Abstract

Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that were developed as adjunct therapy for a variety of medical conditions. Today they are most commonly used to enhance athletic performance and muscular development. Both illicit and medically indicated anabolic steroid use have been temporally associated with many subsequent defects within each of the body systems. Testosterone is the preferred ligand of the human androgen receptor in the myocardium and directly modulates transcription, translation, and enzyme function. Consequent alterations of cellular pathology and organ physiology are similar to those seen with heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Hypertension, ventricular remodeling, myocardial ischemia, and sudden cardiac death have each been temporally and causally associated with anabolic steroid use in humans. These effects persist long after use has been discontinued and have significant impact on subsequent morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms of cardiac disease as a result of anabolic steroid use are discussed in this review.

Recommendation on Blood Sampling for Doping Medical Controls / Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention. - Strasbourg : Council of Europe (CoE), 1998

• Council of Europe Recommendation (98) 3; Strasbourg, 19-20 May 1998

Recommendation on Basic Principles for Disciplinary Phases of Doping Control / Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention. - Strasbourg : Council of Europe (CoE), 1998

• Council of Europe Recommendation (98) 2; Strasbourg, 19-20 May 1998

Recommendation on Standard Operating Procedures at Doping Control Laboratories : procedures for non-analytical phases / Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention. - Strasbourg : Council of Europe (CoE), 1998

• Council of Europe Recommendation (98) 1; Strasbourg, 19-20 May 1998

TAS 97/175 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) / A.

• Cycling
• Doping (Bromantan and Clenbuterol)
• Authority UCI to agitate
• CAS competence
• Right to be heard
• Legal Status of the Prohibited List of substances

In July 1997 the International Cycling Union (UCI) has reported several anti-doping rule violations against the Uzbek Athlete A. after his samples tested positive for the prohibited substances bromantan and clenbuterol. The Athlete A. had provided these samples at 5 cycling competitions in France in 1997 and at one stage of the 1997 Tour de France.

On 28 August 1997 the Uzbekistan Cycling Federation decided to impose on the Athlete a 6 month period of ineligibility and a Sfr. 4000 fine. Hereafter in September 1997 the UCI appealed the Uzbek decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The UCI requested the CAS Panel to set aside the Uzbek decision and to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility including a Sfr. 4000 fine and disqualification of his results and points. Consequently, even if the UCI does not necessarily intervene in disciplinary proceedings, the UCI must be considered as a party, according of Article R47 CAS Code.

The Panel makes the following observations in this case:

1.) Even if the UCI doest not participate systematically in the proceedings provided in its Rule, the UCI nevertheless remains the initiator of the prosecution of the Athlete guilty of an anti-doping violation and therefore invites the National Federation to open proceedings. Consequently, even if it does not necessarily intervene in disciplinary proceedings, the UCI must be considered as a party, within the meaning of Article R47 of the Code.

2.) When an Athlete signs for his licence he is expressly bound to submit to CAS, as authority in the final instance, his arguments in anti-doping cases.

3.) The party considering itself a victim of a violation of its right to be heard or of any other procedural fault must invoke this at once in the arbitral proceedings. Failing to do this, the party is no longer entitled to complain in the appeal against the sentence.

4.) It is not because a particular product isn’t mentioned in the UCI list of prohibited substances at the moment of the facts that it possibly can not be qualified as a doping product.

Therefore on 5 April 1998 the Court of Arbitration for Sport decides to uphold the UCI appeal, to reform the Uzbek decision of 28 August 1997 and to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility and a CHF 4000 fine on the Athlete including disqualifation of his results and poinst.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 : a phase I study in children / Catherine Pihoker, Gregory L. Kearns, Daniel French, Cyril Y. Bowers

• Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 83 (1998) 4 (1 April), p. 1168-1172
• PMID: 9543135
• DOI: 10.1210/jcem.83.4.4744

Abstract

Administration of GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) represents a potential mode of therapy for children of short stature with inadequate secretion of GH. Requisite information to determine the dosing route and frequency for GHRP-2 consists of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) for this compound, neither of which have been previously evaluated in children. The purpose of this study was to characterize the PK and PD of GHRP-2 in children with short stature. Ten prepubertal children (nine boys and one girl; 7.7 +/- 2.4 yr old) received a single 1 microg/kg i.v. dose of GHRP-2 over 1 min, followed by repeated (n = 9) blood sampling over 2 h. GHRP-2 and GH were quantitated by specific RIA methods. PK parameters were calculated from curve fitting of GHRP-2 and GH vs. time data. Posttreatment plasma GH concentrations (normalized for pretreatment values) were used as the effect measurement. PD parameters were generated using the sigmoid Emax model. Disposition of GHRP-2 best fit a biexponential function. GHRP-2 PK parameters (mean +/- SD) were: alpha = 13.4 +/- 9.7 h(-1), beta = 1.3 +/- 0.3 h(-1), t(1/2beta) = 0.55 +/- 0.14 h, AUC(0-infinity) = 2.02 +/- 1.37 ng/mL x h, Cmax = 7.4 +/- 3.8 ng/mL, plasma clearance = 0.66 +/- 0.32 L/h x kg, and apparent volume of distribution = 0.32 +/- 0.14 L/kg. PK parameters for GH were: appearance rate constant = 5.9 +/- 3.1 h(-1), elimination t(1/2) = 0.37 +/- 0.15 h, lag time = 0.05 +/- 0.01 h, Cmax = 50.7 +/- 17.2 ng/mL, Tmax = 0.42 +/- 0.16 h, and AUC(0-infinity) = 47.9 +/- 26.1 ng/mL x h. PD parameters for GHRP-2 were: Ke0 = 1.13 +/- 0.94 h(-1), gamma = 13.15 +/- 9.44, E0 = 6.63 +/- 4.86 ng/mL (GH), Emax = 67.5 +/- 23.5 ng/mL (GH), and EC50 = 1.09 +/- 0.59 ng/mL. We concluded that 1) GHRP-2 produced a predictable and significant (i.e. compared to pretreatment values) increase in plasma GH concentrations; 2) the PK-PD link model enabled quantitative assessment of GHRP-2 modulation of serum GH levels; and 3) definition of the EC50 for GHRP-2 will enable PD and PK evaluations of extravascular dosing regimens for children.