Olympians Adjust to Tougher Drug Tests

Athletes must keep agency up to speed on their whereabouts
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 1, 2008 1:59 PM CDT
Olympians Adjust to Tougher Drug Tests
The 2008 Olympic basketball team will likely face more rigorous drug testing than most players are accustomed to.   (AP Photo)

Many US professional athletes aren't accustomed to giving blood and urine samples during their off seasons, but with the Olympics approaching, that's all been changing, writes USA Today. The US Anti-Doping Agency requires all potential competitors to comply with a "whereabouts program" and submit to random screenings for HGH and illegal blood transfusions.

One benefit of the tests will be establishment of a baseline blood profile to use in the future. Most athletes seem to approve of the program and its goals, but occasionally find compliance problematic. "Sometimes I forget to give my location, but my mom helps out," says soccer goalie Chris Seitz. (More 2008 Beijing Olympics stories.)

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