|
Diary Highlights
Call +44 (0) 1462 431385 to advertise
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 Dec 2019
Tokyo 2020 could utilise ‘groundbreaking’ gene testing to catch doping cheats
A pioneering gene testing method could be ready to use for the first time at an Olympic Games next year.
According to Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the genetic examinations would allow blood doping to be identified several months after banned performance-enhancing drugs – such as Erythropoietin (EPO) – were used by an athlete.
This means that while the technology is still awaiting full approval from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), it could be used retrospectively to assess all medal winners from Tokyo 2020.
The testing method has been developed at the University of Brighton by a team led by Yannis Pitsiladis, professor of sport and exercise science.
Pitsiladis researched Ribonucleic acid (RNA), which together with DNA and proteins are essential for all forms of life, and discovered that drugs can leave a tell-tale signature in RNA.
The breakthrough test, he said, “can identify gene markers in blood if an athlete has taken banned substances".
“The WADA labs can, with near-perfect sensitivity, measure the presence of a drug while in the body," Pitsiladis said.
"Our research focuses on the fingerprint banned substances leave behind allowing a greater window of opportunity to catch the cheaters long after the drug has left the system – this is the beauty of this approach.”
Speaking at the WADA's Fifth World Conference on Doping in Sport, Bach suggested that the International Testing Agency (ITA) will collect the appropriate samples to be analysed by the new genetic sequencing method as early as the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, regardless of whether this testing method is already fully validated or not.
“In the latter case, the IOC would analyse these samples after the full validation of this new testing method," Bach added.
The new method of testing was one of four new main areas of a new, four-point US$10m action plan on tackling doping.
Others were the storing of pre-Games testing samples for 10 years; more money being spent on further scientific research; and the strengthening of the investigative powers of WADA.
Back to previous page
|
|
27 Mar 2024 Thailand's first lady attends APSWC Awards ceremony recognising industry excellence
The Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) recently marked another year of industry
achievement with a prestigious awards ceremony held during the 2024 APSWC Round Table
event in Bangkok, Thailand.
08 Mar 2024 Global Wellness Day 2024 to champion reconnecting with nature
Global Wellness Day (GWD) is set to mark its 13th annual celebration on 8 June 2024, under
the theme #MagentaNature, emphasising the vital connection between humanity and the
natural world.
04 Mar 2024 SHA Wellness receives top accolade at 2024 World Spa and Wellness Awards
Eight of the world’s leading spa operations were honoured at the annual World Spa and
Wellness Awards during a glamorous ceremony held in London over the weekend.
01 Mar 2024 Second edition of UK Aufguss Championships set to heat up Galgorm Resort
The ancient art of aufguss will be celebrated this April with the Second UK Aufguss
Championships at destination spa and hotel Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland.
|
|
06 Feb 2024 Canyon Ranch announces Enchant at The Ranch wellness festival
Destination wellness brand Canyon Ranch will host the first edition of its beauty and wellness
festival, called Enchant at Canyon Ranch, from 17 to 21 March at its Tucson resort and spa in
Arizona.
10 Jan 2024 Spas of America unveils Top 100 Spas of 2023, Spa at Séc-he lands first place
Spa and wellness travel website Spas of America has unveiled its Top 100 Spas of 2023, with
The Spa at Séc-he in downtown Palm Springs, California, taking the top spot.
20 Dec 2023 We Work Well unveils 2024 event schedule for fitness, wellness and hospitality industries
International hosted buyer event company We Work Well (WWW) has confirmed dates and
locations for its 2024 conference calendar.
11 Dec 2023 First Wellness Hospitality Conference attracts 500 attendees to Milan – dates revealed for 2024 event
The first edition of the Wellness Hospitality Conference (WHC), co-organised by Teamwork
Hospitality and InSpaTime, was recently hosted at the NH Hotel in Milan and attracted more
than 500 delegates.
|
|
|
Back to previous page
| |
|
|
|
|
|