ATHENS, 10 June 2003 — International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspector Denis Oswald on Sunday expressed “general” satisfaction over the state of construction work related to the 2004 Athens Olympics.
“In general terms I am satisfied with the progress,” he told Greek state television.
The IOC official regularly visits Greece to ensure the timely completion of building works so that test events can unfold ahead of the Games as scheduled.
Oswald, who in the past has frequently gone on record criticizing Greece for dragging its feet in the preparations, said he hoped no “unexpected problems” would torpedo the reconstruction of Karaiskaki stadium, a key venue for the Games’ football competition. Works on the site have barely begun, even though the Games kick off as early as August 2004.
WADA Recommends
Urine Testing for EPO
In Montreal, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) endorsed urine testing as the only certain way to detect the banned performance enhancer EPO (erythropoietin). WADA president Dick Pound said the agency’s executive committee endorsed the conclusions of a study commissioned by the WADA to evaluate the validity of urinary and blood tests for EPO, which stimulates the production of red blood cells to improve oxygenation and enhance endurance.
The report’s conclusions state that urinary testing is the only scientifically validated method for direct detection of recombinant EPO. However, the report recommends that urine testing be used in conjunction with blood testing for a variety of reasons, including the cost savings of blood screenings.
