DRUGS IN SPORT

'The IOC and UCI might consider whether taking a substance that can correct
a physiological inequality should be considered as doping'

Last week's Tour de France cycle race saw a furore about the use of epoetin
(recombinant erythropoietin), which enhances packed-cell volume (PCV). The
Union Cycliste Internationale allows an upper limit of PCV of 050, but JJM
Marx and PCJ Vergouwen's results this week cast doubt on the validity of
this cutoff. PCV values above 050 were found in three of 245 measurements
in elite athletes who denied use any kind of doping and in four of 278
measurements from non-athlete controls.

The fear is that some athletes whose PCV exceeds this amount might be banned
unjustly from their sport.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett