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Athletes competing at the highest level must exercise extreme caution when it comes to doping. One example is tennis player Jannik Sinner, who accepted a three-month suspension after testing positive. He claimed that the result was accidental, stemming from a massage performed by his former physiotherapist.
Doping fears have now reached the Norwegian relay team in China.
Doping in meat. In May, China will host two major athletics competitions: Guangdong’s World Athletics Relays and the Shanghai Diamond League. As athletes prepare for their races, there’s a particular concern about the risk of meat in the country being contaminated with clenbuterol, a banned substance.
As a result, Olympiatoppen, a division of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, has warned its athletes to exercise extreme caution and avoid consuming local meat during their stay.
A dangerous substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits the use of clenbuterol. It’s primarily used as a bronchodilator in livestock to treat respiratory issues. However, its use has been controversial due to its anabolic effects, which promote muscle mass gain and fat loss. In many countries, including China, clenbuterol has been used illegally to enhance the performance of animals intended for human consumption, according to Reuters.
A greater risk. The problem arises when athletes consume meat contaminated with clenbuterol. The substance can persist in the meat during the slaughtering process. If proper precautions aren’t taken, athletes may unknowingly ingest it.
While the effects of clenbuterol are more pronounced at high doses, even small amounts can yield a positive result in anti-doping tests. This is because its anabolic properties impact physical performance.
Athletes take precautions. Norwegian athletes Henriette Jaeger and Josefine Eriksen have expressed their trust in experts regarding dietary choices. “I really like eating meat, and it’s very good for the body when you’re competing. But you have to listen to the professionals and trust them,” they told Norwegian radio station NRK, according to Google Translate.
Eriksen also mentioned that she plans to bring protein bars and jerky from Norway to meet her nutritional needs. Moreover, Olympiatoppen has emphasized the importance of food hygiene during their stay in the Asian country, recommending that athletes only eat at high-quality restaurants and hotels.
An ongoing issue. This isn’t the first time China has faced doping controversies. In 2021, the country’s swimming team went under public scrutiny when it was revealed that 23 swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance. Chinese authorities claimed the positive tests were due to accidental food contamination, and athletes faced no sanctions. However, the incident raised international concerns about transparency and anti-doping measures in the country.
Global concerns. Clenbuterol concerns aren’t limited to China. The South China Morning Post has reported similar issues in other countries. In fact, World Athletics, the sport’s governing body, told ABC News that athletes and teams are aware of these risks and take appropriate precautions.
No official response. Reuters has sought an official statement from the Chinese Athletics Association, but it’s gone unanswered. This silence from authorities has raised uncertainty about how the situation will be managed moving forward.
Beyond sports. Food contamination poses a genuine risk for athletes, but it’s also become a common excuse for athletes who test positive for doping. The case of Sinner has been particularly controversial. Despite his claim of accidental doping, he received only a three-month suspension, which many in the tennis community regarded as too lenient.
This issue isn’t new. In 2010, Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador alleged that he ingested meat contaminated with clenbuterol, but he was still sanctioned and consequently lost the 2010 Tour de France and the 2011 Giro d’Italia.
As the line between negligence and intentional cheating becomes increasingly blurred, the debate surrounding food doping remains unresolved and increasingly uncomfortable.
Image | Sandro Halank/Wikimedia Commons
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