The First Blood Collection Attempt for Doping Control in an Olympic Tournament: Data on the Procedure Applied in Athens 2004 Olympic Games

The procedure for blood sampling in doping control, implemented for the first time as part of the official foren- sic testing programme in the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games is described. 743 whole blood and serum samples from 37 sports were analyzed. In serum human growth hormone and hemoglobin based oxygen carriers were screened for. In whole blood samples heterologous blood transfusion was detected. Routine haematological parameters (hematocrit, haemoglobin) were followed in a very limited range only in Modern Pentathlon under the responsibility of the respective International Federation. The majority of the blood samples collected concerned events in athletics. Endurance sports accounted for 81% of the whole blood sampling. Athletics, swimming and rowing represented 55% of the serum samples analyzed. Extension of testing for oxygen transport enhancing agents in anaerobic sports should be seriously considered by future organizers and the International Olympic Committee. The mean time for an athlete to report to the Doping Control Station for blood collection was 6.1 hours; 27% of the ath- letes tested (from 19 sports) failed to appear within the 12-hours time limit set. Training of the phlebotomists was proven effective. Only 25 athletes of those tested (3%) reported to have felt uncomfort- able. The majority of complaints (47%) concerned the prolonged waiting period and the long blood collection time (48%). Finally, an earlier agreement between all involved parties, attempts to decrease the time to appear at the site of blood col- lection and shortening of the duration of blood collection and sealing of the samples are recommended.