While cruising the ‘net for information on the ‘criminalized’ athlete whose doping activity has either harmed or advanced their careers, I came across a CTV article (April, 2009) Banned sledder helps combat inadvertent doping. I was floored to read that Canadian bobsleigh pilot Serge Despres was banned from competing until August, 2009 due to the consumption of a single contaminated supplement in 2007.
Unfortunately, this case is not an anomaly. In 2001, the IOC lab tested 634 supplements from around the world and found that some were incomplete or inaccurately labelled. For instance, more than 25 per cent of the supplements collected in The Netherlands yielded positive tests for banned substances undisclosed on the packaging. An yet, in light of these findings, Despres’ ban for an infinitely small positive – less than a single nanogram of steroids – was not revoked.
What can an athlete do to ensure that the supplements they require to support an intensely active, rigorous and demanding training program are contaminate-free?
Currently, a company called NSF International provides a Safe for Sport Certification analysis program, whereby manufacturers submit nutritional supplements to be tested up to 130 banned substances on the World Anti-Doping Association’s drug list before they are consumed by athletes.
NSF Certified for Sport Product list available here, and includes such Canadian-made products as:
Even though Despres’ 2010 Winter Olympic podium dreams have been publicly and humiliatingly crushed, he has used the situation to become part of the solution. In April he helped launch the Clean Sport Initiative sponsored by Platinum Naturals, to campaign for increased knowledge and information on supplements approved by the NSF. Help support Despres’ cause and join the Facebook group: Clean Sport Initiative.
Bill Graveland/The Canadian Press
RandomGrad
8 months ago
Great info… Very useful for the young athlete who is being “sold” supplementation as the only way. Be sure to vet your info, especially if you are going to promote a product. Clean site as well.
kasia
8 months ago
Holy cow! It’s weird how ColdFX is considered a banned substance — first off, I use it, and I don’t feel that my performance (I’ll count performance as academic performance) has been “enhanced”. Second, wouldn’t athletes be really invested in staying healthy? ColdFX has gotten me through some nasty colds in shorter time.
Did you hear about the Romanian gymnast at the Olympics a few years back who lost her metal because she took a certain cough syrup? She had not idea that it contained banned substances. How crushing!
Tessa
8 months ago
Would never have guessed the supplements contained banned substanced! Not good!
Cold FX is made in Edmonton, an Alberta company, I think. Good to see it on the ‘good’ list. Yes, your blog is informative and coud become a significant port for fitness professionals and the average health pursuer alike.
A contemporary approach– I will check it out often.
T.
vincenso
8 months ago
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?
Jodie
5 months ago
Absolutely, Vincenso: feel free to quote my post & please reference it with a link. My twitter account is Lightfooted.
Thanks for stopping by!
Jodie
5 months ago
Interesting to note, ColdFX is an official Olympic sponsor…
Medical Billing
4 months ago
What a great resource!
Jodie
4 months ago
Thanks, folks, for your feedback.