Swimming targets EPO

Swimming's world governing body will carry out tests for the banned synthetic hormone erythropoietin (EPO) at April's world short-course championships in Moscow.

Combined blood and urine testing for EPO was first conducted at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

But this will be the first time that Fina, the International Amateur Swimming Federation, will carry it out at its own world championships.

We are determined to protect the athletes' fundamental rights to drug-free competition

Andrew Pipe
Fina

Fina came under fire at last July's world long-course championships in Japan for its reluctance to test for EPO.

The hormone can be artificially produced to boost the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells that build endurance.

Fina finally approved the use of blood tests for the drug at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane two months later.

Fina said in a statement: "Athletes will be asked to consent to the collection of a small amount of blood in addition to providing a urine sample.

"Blood samples will be screened initially on-site and urine samples will be analysed in an IOC-accredited laboratory."

Andrew Pipe, chairman of the Fina doping control review board, said: "We are determined to protect the athletes' fundamental rights to drug-free competition.

Fina said EPO testing would become part of its year-round testing programmes.

It said it had carried out 1,544 tests, in and out of competition, around the world in 2001.