WADA To Use New HGH Testing Kits On Beijing Olympians

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yesterday said that it has "purchased thousands of kits to screen blood for [HGH] and that expanded testing would begin for HGH within weeks," according to Michael Schmidt of the N.Y. TIMES. The kits for the first time will "allow widespread out-of-competition testing'' for HGH and will allow authorities to test Olympic athletes participating in this summer's Beijing Olympic Games. WADA Dir General David Howman, in a telephone interview, said the test has been "around for a while; it was a matter of finding the manufacturer. Howman added that WADA-certified testing officials in labs in Beijing and around the world "will be trained in how to use the kits, which can test 10 to 15 samples." Howman said that the kits will "allow doping authorities to analyze blood samples that have been frozen from earlier tests." WADA would not disclose the manufacturer of the kits, but said that it is "based in Europe." The organization also would not disclose how far back the test can detect HGH use, "fearing that athletes may be able to determine how to avoid testing positive -- although it is not believed to be more than a couple of days" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/2).

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