Sanctions for Anti-Doping Rule Violations in the Revised Version of the World Anti-Doping Code / Alessandro L. Celli, Lucien W. Valloni, Dmitry A. Pentsov. – (International Sports Law Journal (2008) 3-4 : p. 36-42)

Content:
1.) Introduction
2.) The definition of “Doping” and the principle of strict liability for anti-doping rule violations
3.) Innovations concerning sanctions on individials
3.1.) New definition of “specified substances” and its impact on the existing system of sanctions
3.2.) Broadening the possibilities of elimination or reduction of period of ineligibility based on no fault or nog significant fault or negligence
3.3.) Strengthening of incentives to come forward
3.4.) Greater flexibility of sanctions in case of multiple violations
3.5.) Introduction of aggravating circumstance which may increase the period of ineligibility
4.) Innovations concerning consequences of anti-doping rule violations to teams
5.) Lessons for the future

On November 17, 2007, the World Anti-Doping Foundation Board has approved a revised World Anti-Doping Code, which will enter into force on January 1, 2009 (the “WADC-2009“).
The revised version of the Code contains a number of major innovations, notably as concerns sanctions for anti-doping rule violations. These innovations reflect two general themes which emerged during the Code’s review - firmness and fairness - both targeted at strengthening the fight against doping in sport.
Correspondingly, the purpose of this Article is to analyze the most important innovations concerning sanctions focusing on their practical consequences for athletes and teams.

Reichel C, Abzieher F, Geisendorfer T. SARCOSYL-PAGE: a new method for the detection of MIRCERA- and EPO-doping in blood. Drug Test Anal. 2009 Nov;1(11-12):494-504.

SARCOSYL-PAGE: Optimized Protocols for the Separation and Immunological Detection of PEGylated Proteins / Christian Reichel, Günter Gmeiner, Philipp Reihlen, Mario Thevis, Wilhelm Schänzer. - (Methods in Molecular Biology (2019) 1855; p. 131-149).

• PMID: 30426415.
• DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8793-1_14
  Published in: In: Kurien B., Scofield R. (eds) Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1855. Humana Press, New York, NY

Abstract

PEGylation of recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides aims to generate biopharmaceuticals with altered physical properties. The modification may lead to a prolonged serum half-life caused by decreased receptor-mediated endocytosis and/or delay in renal clearance caused by the increased hydrodynamic volume of the pharmaceutical.

MIRCERA, a PEGylated recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) used in the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease, has also been abused by athletes as performance-enhancing drug. While it can be detected by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting, the sensitivity of the test is significantly lower compared to other epoetins. By replacing SDS with sarcosyl in the sample and running buffers, the interaction between SDS and the PEG group of the protein no longer reduces the affinity of the monoclonal anti-EPO antibody (clone AE7A5) to the protein chain.

Contrary to SDS, sarcosyl only binds to the amino acid chain of the PEGylated protein and thus leads to a sharper electrophoretic band and enhanced antibody binding. While the method was originally developed for anti-doping purposes, it may also be useful for the electrophoretic separation and immunological detection of other PEGylated proteins. Protocols for urine and serum are presented. They are also applicable for the general detection of EPO-based erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in these matrices.

SARM-S4 and metabolites detection in sports drug testing: a case report / Elia Grata, Laurent Perrenoud, Martial Saugy, Norbert Baume. - (Forensic Science International 213 (2011) 1-3 (10 December); p. 104-108)

• PMID: 21816554
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.014

Abstract

Recently, pharmaceutical industry developed a new class of therapeutics called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) to substitute the synthetic anabolic drugs used in medical treatments. Since the beginning of the anti-doping testing in sports in the 1970s, steroids have been the most frequently detected drugs mainly used for their anabolic properties. The major advantage of SARMs is the reduced androgenic activities which are the main source of side effects following anabolic agents' administration. In 2010, the Swiss laboratory for doping analyses reported the first case of SARMs abuse during in-competition testing. The analytical steps leading to this finding are described in this paper. Screening and confirmation results were obtained based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. Additional information regarding the SARM S-4 metabolism was investigated by ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOF-MS).

SARMs : een nieuw gezondheidsprobleem in fitness en
bodybuilding / Willem Koert, Mariël Zwaagstra, Patricia Nagtegaal, Leendert van der Kooij, Koen Terlouw, Erik Duiven

• TSG - Tijdschrift voor gezondheidswetenschappen 99 (2021); p. 161-164

Samenvatting

In het Nederlandse fitness- en sportschoolmilieu wint een nieuwe groep dopingmiddelen snel aan populariteit. In het jargon van de sporters in dit circuit heten ze SARMs, een afkorting voor Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. SARMs zijn experimentele middelen die spiergroei en vetverlies moeten bewerkstelligen, die nog in de ontwikkelingsfase zijn, nog niet zijn goedgekeurd voor gebruik door artsen, maar al wel vrijelijk verkrijgbaar zijn via webwinkels. SARMs zijn verboden in de sport en staan op de dopinglijst. De farmabedrijven die deze stoffen hebben ontwikkeld, hebben in een aantal gevallen hun trials stopgezet nadat er zorgwekkende bijwerkingen aan het licht kwamen. Desondanks bieden wereldwijd honderden webwinkels deze experimentele middelen aan, en vertellen diverse ‘experts’ op sociale media dat SARMs volstrekt veilig zijn. De verkrijgbaarheid van deze middelen geeft aanleiding tot zorg.

Abstract

In the Dutch fitness and bodybuilding scene, a new group of doping substances is rapidly gaining popularity. In the lingo of the athletes in this circuit, they are called SARMs, short for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. SARMs are experimental drugs to achieve muscle growth and fat loss, which are still in the development phase, have not yet been approved for medical use, but are already freely available in web shops. In a number of cases, the pharmaceutical companies that developed these substances have stopped their trials after worrying side effects came to light. Nevertheless, hundreds of online stores worldwide offer these experimental drugs. In addition, various ‘experts’ on social media claim SARMs are completely safe. The availability of these resources is a cause for concern.

Related cases:

• World Rugby 2014 WR vs Mahlatse Chiliboy Ralepelle
  June 16, 2015
• SAIDS 2019_18 SAIDS vs Mahlatse Chiliboy Ralepelle
  June 25, 2020

In November 2010 the South African Rugby Union (SARU) has reported two anti-doping rule violations against the South African rugby players Mahlatse Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson after their A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substances methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine).
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athletes filed the statements with evidence in their defence and were heard for the SARU Judicial Committee.

The Athlete’s admitted the violation and stated that they, together with the rest of the Springbok team, consumed a nutritional supplement Anabolic Nitro Oxide Extreme Energy Surge, which contained the prohibited substance, prior to the doping test on 6 November 2010 in Ireland. The supplement was used before by the players during the season without problems with the doping tests.

The Athlete’s coach testified that during the Springbok tour in Ireland and the UK, the team was supplied with a batch of the supplement manufactured in the UK and also with a covering certificate from a recognized laboratory. Hereafter both the batch of the supplement supplied in in the UK and the batch produeced in South Africa were tested. The sample manufactured in South Africa tested negative and the UK sample tested positive for methylhexaneamine.

The Committee accepts the statements and evidence of the Athletes and concludes that they didn’t know that the supplement was contaminated and acted with no fault and no intention to enhance their sport performance.
Considering the exceptional circumstances the SARU Judicial Committee decides on 27 January 2011 to impose only a reprimand on the two Athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency releases 'Say NO! To Doping' video

The 30-second clip emphasizes the true values of sport and delivers a very clear message that genuine sport success and enjoyment comes only through hard work and fair play, not through doping.

SAY NO! TO DOPING is an awareness campaign for organizations to unite behind in support of doping-free sport. The campaign is versatile and creative. It lets stakeholders customize an approach that best fits their needs and their resources.

Sport and anti-doping communities can show their commitment to clean sport by incorporating the SAY NO! TO DOPING logo and the
color green in their competition venues, on uniforms, promotional
materials and sports equipment. This will draw attention to the
importance of promoting the Play True message of respect and
fair play.

The color green is used by WADA to promote clean sport. It
represents a healthy, natural environment and the field of play.
Because green is not typically used for sports equipment, it stands
out and helps generate awareness for SAY NO! TO DOPING.

The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) mission is to lead a collaborative worldwide campaign for doping-free sport.

WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries. WADA is a Swiss private law Foundation. Its seat is in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

WADA works towards a vision of a world where all athletes compete in a doping-free sporting environment.

WADA has produced a series 15-second video clips to help drive its ‘Say NO! To Doping’ awareness campaign.

The clips, designed to reinforce the sporting concept of fair play and integrity, are also available to stakeholders to utilize for their own awareness initiatives.

WADA hopes that the clips will be used as widely as possible to deliver the message that success in the sporting arena can only be achieved through hard work, dedication, respect for your fellow competitors, and respect for the rules of sport.

Dis NON! au dopage - Accepte le défi

WADA has produced a series 15-second video clips to help drive its ‘Say NO! To Doping’ awareness campaign.

The clips, designed to reinforce the sporting concept of fair play and integrity, are also available to stakeholders to utilize for their own awareness initiatives.

WADA hopes that the clips will be used as widely as possible to deliver the message that success in the sporting arena can only be achieved through hard work, dedication, respect for your fellow competitors, and respect for the rules of sport.

WADA has produced a series 15-second video clips to help drive its ‘Say NO! To Doping’ awareness campaign.

The clips, designed to reinforce the sporting concept of fair play and integrity, are also available to stakeholders to utilize for their own awareness initiatives.

WADA hopes that the clips will be used as widely as possible to deliver the message that success in the sporting arena can only be achieved through hard work, dedication, respect for your fellow competitors, and respect for the rules of sport.