Accredited Labs Receive Testing Method For THG Steroid

Montreal, October 21, 2003 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced today that the method of detection for the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) has been communicated to all International Olympic Committee (IOC)/WADA accredited laboratories throughout the world. The test for detecting THG was developed and distributed by the laboratory headed by Professor Don Catlin at the University of California, Los Angeles. The test will shortly be a part of regular doping screening conducted by all accredited laboratories.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) first announced last week that the UCLA lab had found the previously undetectable steroid in samples collected in-competition at the 2003 U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships and also in out-of-competition samples. USADA will forward to the accredited laboratories later this week reference samples of THG.

“We commend the UCLA lab for moving quickly not only to identify this substance, but also for making sure the other laboratories have access to this test as quickly as possible,” said David Howman, WADA’s Director General. “This sends a strong message that there will be no delay in catching those who cheat or who believe they can stay one step ahead of the system. It is also a good example of how important the sharing of knowledge in the scientific community can be to stop doping.”

Howman also commended the international sports federations and national anti-doping agencies that have already indicated they may retest previous samples stored in laboratories for THG.

“WADA strongly encourages all bodies responsible for testing to review their internal processes and protocols to see whether currently stored samples can be analyzed for this ‘new’ substance,” he said.