Anti-Doping Programme to introduce biological passport

[merlinpinpin]

Also, it's worth noting two things (that are not directly related to the passport and may have been discussed in other threads a few weeks ago--if so, apologies, I was away during the summer):

#1: the French senate have officially asked for an agreement between the ITF and the French authorities to that the French anti-doping agency can test tennismen/women at RG and Bercy *independently* of the ITF. So things may be moving in France as soon as 2014 if they have their way.

#2: there are apparently names of tennis players on the Biogenesis scandal list, just like there were on Fuentes' list in 2006 (not saying they are the same people, mind you), and we can hope these won't be buried the way the Spanish government buried the Puerto scandal.

 

[*Sparkle*]

#1: the French senate have officially asked for an agreement between the ITF and the French authorities to that the French anti-doping agency can test tennismen/women at RG and Bercy *independently* of the ITF. So things may be moving in France as soon as 2014 if they have their way.

Apparently it was the French anti-doping agency who turned up to the players' hotel on the Saturday night before Bercy last year. I take it this move will allow them to access the actual tournaments.

It gets a bit confusing, but I think it's important that testing can be done by different authorities, as I consider a potential weakness in the system to be that it would be possible for a corrupt official to provide timely tip-offs in advance of random testing. With multiple agencies involved, that is a much harder trick to pull off.

 

[Dear Djordje]

Testing in tennis is pretty pathetic.

http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.com/2012/03/2011-itf-anti-doping-statistics-what.html

 

[Smasher08]

I think you should google tennis biological passport to see what players have said. Rafa is in favor of the biological passport.

 

[ForLoveOfTheGame]

A little late to the party now! Everyone already got their slams! I kid, I kid. But seriously, if a ton of people are discovered, who would get the records?

 

[Smasher08]

2 blood tests in 3 days?

Great!! Let's hope more of it happens to everyone in the top 30.

 

[Smasher08]

Biological passports in cycling did not stop Armstrong and almost everybody else from being habitual dopers.

But they did nail Contador. So they're not entirely useless.

 

[Smasher08]

Could it be that Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray are just talented players? other than the accusations of taking performance enhancing substances?

Imperviousness to fatigue and a lack of need for recovery do not come from "talent".

 

[90's Clay]

2 blood tests in 3 days?

Why don't we hear about the top players getting this type of relentless testing. Hmmmm

 

[bullfan]

Why don't we hear about the top players getting this type of relentless testing. Hmmmm

Actually, some have had lots of testing....

 

[zebedee]

Actually, some have had lots of testing....

Who, exactly?

Passing drug tests is no indication a player is clean anyway. Armstrong passed north of 300.

 

[Goosehead]

Biological Passport will be 100% operational by September..(need several samples to measure levels of whatever in blood, ??).

 

[Boom-Boom]

Testing in tennis is pretty pathetic.

http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.com/2012/03/2011-itf-anti-doping-statistics-what.html

Yep it's basically a Joke when you see Ferrer and Robredo running faster at 33 than 23...not even mentioning the other Spanish weightlifter winning 53 times the French open without anyone doubting anything :mrgreen:

 

[bullfan]

Yep it's basically a Joke when you see Ferrer and Robredo running faster at 33 than 23...not even mentioning the other Spanish weightlifter winning 53 times the French open without anyone doubting anything :mrgreen:

And Nadal has looked pretty bad for the past 2 years at the FO.

 

[ivan_the_terrible]

Yep it's basically a Joke when you see Ferrer and Robredo running faster at 33 than 23...not even mentioning the other Spanish weightlifter winning 53 times the French open without anyone doubting anything :mrgreen:

It's all-natural, no weights required

 

[ivan_the_terrible]

Tennis is no baseball - the top guys would definitely not be outed for any transgressions.

 

[ivan_the_terrible]

BTW - where is CMM & Clarky?

 

[Firing Forehand]

not even mentioning the other Spanish weightlifter winning 53 times the French open without anyone doubting anything :mrgreen:

Im starting to doubt about a swiss olg guy who seems to be overachieving considering his age....smells fishy

 

[TMF]

Biological Passport will be 100% operational by September..(need several samples to measure levels of whatever in blood, ??).

And in a matter of one year, Nadal has played poorly that his ranking has dropped down to #10, the lowest in his career since early 2005(over 10 years ago). The fully effective biological passport that has kept players from cheating since September could stop Nadal from winning a slam this year, who has won at least 1 slam/year since 2005.

 

[zagor]

And in a matter of one year, Nadal has played poorly that his ranking has dropped down to #10, the lowest in his career since early 2005(over 10 years ago). The fully effective biological passport that has kept players from cheating since September could stop Nadal from winning a slam this year, who has won at least 1 slam/year since 2005.

What does "fully effective" mean in this case? Aren't the samples from 2013? Did they take samples from all players on the tour?

 

[citybert]

"Might"?. Not sure how this is supposed to work.

Translation: cheaters are always one step ahead

 

[citybert]

I think you should google tennis biological passport to see what players have said. Rafa is in favor of the biological passport.

Totally agree. But even if he did it makes sense to support. 80-90% of his results are probably in and he has a major brand and image to manage especially in Spain for probably the rest of his life. Its a no brainer either way.

 

[TMF]

What does "fully effective" mean in this case? Aren't the samples from 2013? Did they take samples from all players on the tour?

Increase in number of blood tests means more effective control. This article explains it.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/22/tennis-open-doping-idUKL3N0KW1KC20140122


Chanwan also post this from another thread.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/nadal-is-done.539931/page-5#post-9532024

 

[West Coast Ace]

What does "fully effective" mean in this case? Aren't the samples from 2013? Did they take samples from all players on the tour?

It doesn't mean much of anything. Marketing weasel words. As the BBC reporter proved, micro doping can still get by.

As much as I hate the thought of drug cheats, this is headed toward full on witch hunt. WADA is obsessed with getting a huge name while they're competing. Armstrong was nice - but he was retired.

 

[Bartelby]

I hear that the police are obsessed with catching criminals as well, although maybe not in Ferguson.

 

[Sentinel]

BTW - where is CMM & Clarky?

clarky21 is posting on reddit as bette21.

 

[dondropshot]

What difference does any test make if the fix is in? They have tests already. Once in awhile they'll come down on someone who used the wrong cold supplement, as if to say, "See? Nothing gets past us!" I still want to see THE GREATEST feMALE PLAYER WHO EVER LIVED AND WILL EVER LIVE's doping results from after her "inspiring" doubles comedy act during Wimbledon '14. My guess is those results are in the Tower of London, under armed guard next to the Crown Jewels.

 

[NaBUru38]

Thread bump

 

[Chicharito]

It doesn't mean much of anything. Marketing weasel words. As the BBC reporter proved, micro doping can still get by.

As much as I hate the thought of drug cheats, this is headed toward full on witch hunt. WADA is obsessed with getting a huge name while they're competing. Armstrong was nice - but he was retired.

Yeah, although it reduces the advantage of cheating if you can only microdose. That is important because it reduces that ''I can't win clean'' attitude which destroys a sport and makes it rampant. Plus lest cost benefit of micro dosing that full blown doping.

Also, the passport can be beat but it turns out that BBC thing wasn't exactly what an athlete would go through. In real life he would have had epo tests as well to compliment the passport therefore he may have tested positive for epo.

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

Whatever happened to this? Are biological passports in effect currently?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Whatever happened to this? Are biological passports in effect currently?

Unfortunately nothing happened. I don't think that ITF/ATP are even keeping a tab on these things. It goes excellently with everything else they do.

 

[Thriller]

Whatever happened to this? Are biological passports in effect currently?

It would appear so:

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The athlete biological passport will be fully effective at the elite level in tennis by September [2014], the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Wednesday.
The passport, which uses blood tests to detect the likelihood of doping rather than testing for specific substances, came into operation in the final quarter of 2013 and covers around 50 of the world’s top players. If a player’s blood profile deviates beyond accepted parameters, set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), they could be banned, even if they have not failed a drugs test.
The passport is at its most effective once a player has given between three and five blood tests.

“While it’s (already) in full operation, its effectiveness is still increasing by virtue of the number of samples that have been collected for every player in the (testing) pool,” Dr Stuart Miller, head of the ITF’s anti-doping programme, told a group of reporters in Melbourne. “It’s based on multiple samples collected over time, which is why that effectiveness needs time to kick in.”

Biological Passport to be fully effective by September [2014]

 

[scotus]

I would think its implementation has been on-going.

Otherwise, we would still be seeing the Ultron of old rather than this weakened version of the Earth's Mightiest who gasps for air after a 20-shot rally.

 

[PETEhammer]

I would think its implementation has been on-going.

Otherwise, we would still be seeing the Ultron of old rather than this weakened version of the Earth's Mightiest who gasps for air after a 20-shot rally.

As well as a Fed who wins 11 slams in 4 years and then 4 in 10
That could just be the competition though

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Was that why Federer withdrew from Dubai?

why would a 250 money event in an oil monarchy scare off their star guy by testing? especially after paying a big appearance fee

these guys (all big 3)all do hypobaric/altitude training and probably epo/transfusions or other designer blood stuff for good measure. nobody's getting caught, it's the #75 who gets busted for cheap nandrolone pills who gets in trouble

 

[Raul_SJ]

Speculation Alert!​

these guys (all big 3)all do hypobaric/altitude training and probably epo/transfusions or other designer blood stuff for good measure. nobody's getting caught, it's the #75 who gets busted for cheap nandrolone pills who gets in trouble

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Speculation Alert!​

0.00% chance you'd have posted this if I only mentioned Fed. haha

and tbh I don't care that they do it. it's a part of sport since the stuff was invented

 

[Raul_SJ]

and tbh I don't care that they do it. it's a part of sport since the stuff was invented

You do not care, is it? What is point of having doping laws and testing if, as you claim, the laws only effectively applies to some of the citizens?

 

[Deleted member 688153]

You do not care, is it? What is point of having doping laws and testing if, as you claim, the laws only effectively applies to some of the citizens?

i never said there was any point in doing it

but from the ATP's point of view of course the point is to give the impression of cleanliness without killing the golden goose so to speak
i mean it's blatantly obvious what's going on

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

why would a 250 money event in an oil monarchy scare off their star guy by testing? especially after paying a big appearance fee

these guys (all big 3)all do hypobaric/altitude training and probably epo/transfusions or other designer blood stuff for good measure. nobody's getting caught, it's the #75 who gets busted for cheap nandrolone pills who gets in trouble

Yep

 

[Bartelby]

The tax code works the same way, but no one argues that taxes aren't necessary.

You do not care, is it? What is point of having doping laws and testing if, as you claim, the laws only effectively applies to some of the citizens?

 

[Raul_SJ]

The tax code works the same way, but no one argues that taxes aren't necessary.

The tax laws applies to everyone. Ask Al Capone!

 

[Arak]

I would think its implementation has been on-going.

Otherwise, we would still be seeing the Ultron of old rather than this weakened version of the Earth's Mightiest who gasps for air after a 20-shot rally.

Doping when done correctly is designed to 1. Peak at the final of the tournament, and 2. To go undetected in tests.
It is not physically possible to keep top performance for any extended periods of time especially with older players. That’s why you can see Ultron gasping for air in round one and playing like Superman in the final. I believe every player who can afford to does it. Certainly all top 20 players including the big3.

 

[King No1e]

Doping when done correctly is designed to 1. Peak at the final of the tournament, and 2. To go undetected in tests.
It is not physically possible to keep top performance for any extended periods of time especially with older players. That’s why you can see Ultron gasping for air in round one and playing like Superman in the final. I believe every player who can afford to does it. Certainly all top 20 players including the big3.

This isn't Tour De France, the ITF anti doping program is as strict as you can find in sports.
The real issue in tennis it seems is match fixing. It's probably been going unnoticed for a long time at the lower levels, except for some extreme instances like the unforgettable Artem Bahmet match.

 

[Arak]

This isn't Tour De France, the ITF anti doping program is as strict as you can find in sports.
The real issue in tennis it seems is match fixing. It's probably been going unnoticed for a long time at the lower levels, except for some extreme instances like the unforgettable Artem Bahmet match.

If you choose to believe the ITF that’s a valid choice I have nothing against it, but I’m personally quite skeptical. As for match fixing, it’s probably limited to the lower levels as you say, so for my main interest group, being the top 20-30 players, I don’t have any suspicions or doubts that it’s all legitimate.

 

[daphne]

Doping when done correctly is designed to 1. Peak at the final of the tournament, and 2. To go undetected in tests.
It is not physically possible to keep top performance for any extended periods of time especially with older players. That’s why you can see Ultron gasping for air in round one and playing like Superman in the final. I believe every player who can afford to does it. Certainly all top 20 players including the big3.

If they are doing it (which I doubt) I am glad they are. I have always been for professionally controlled PEDs in every sport. Let's stop pretending. With or without WADA's procedures it has been happening for decades and they themselves are in it.

 

[Bartelby]

You can't be that naive? Tax laws are written with large loopholes for the rich and powerful. Al's problem was that he illegally hid his wealth rather than laundering it.

The banning of Meldonium by WADA was done on political grounds to catch out Russians and further the banning of Russian athletes from the Olympics.

That's where doping laws have ended up! On top of that they turned tennis into another opportunity to gamble and created match-fixing.

The tax laws applies to everyone. Ask Al Capone!

 

[Raul_SJ]

You can't be that naive? Tax laws are written with large loopholes for the rich and powerful. Al's problem was that he illegally hid his wealth.

The government created the tax code.
If so-called "loopholes" exist it is because the government allows them -- the government benefits from these loopholes.

Sleepy Joe is currently in the process of taxing the wealthy and they are not very happy!

 

[Bartelby]

Judging by your abode, you are not a part of the wealthy ... so you have nothing to fear and everything to gain.

The government created the tax code.
If so-called "loopholes" exist it is because the government allows them -- the government benefits from these loopholes.

Sleepy Joe is currently in the process of taxing the wealthy and they are not very happy!

 

[Arak]

If they are doing it (which I doubt) I am glad they are. I have always been for professionally controlled PEDs in every sport. Let's stop pretending. With or without WADA's procedures it has been happening for decades and they themselves are in it.

To be honest, I believe this is what is happening currently in tennis. This kind of controlled doping. As long as the player is not taking something too dangerous and staying within certain limits, they look the other way. Anyway, the borders between legal and illegal stuff is not well defined and there are a lot of possibilities to be creative. When I think about Sharapova and her Meldonium, which is a very mild drug, I can’t help but feel upset even though I never liked her, but I feel it was a big injustice.