When competing at the highest level, extreme care must be taken because of the doping issue. A clear example of this was the case of tennis player Jannik Sinner, who He accepted a suspension Three months after a positive. The current tennis number one alleged that it was accidental, due to a massage made by its former physiotherapist. This type of situation reflects the growing concern about doping, something that is currently affecting the Norwegian relay team in China for the meat.
Doping in meat. In May, two major athletics competitions in China will take place: world relays in Guangzhou and the Diamond League In Shanghai. At a time of preparations to take the flight, a concrete concern has emerged between athletes: the risk that meat in the country is contaminated with Clenbuterol, a prohibited substance. For this reason, Olympliatoppen, a division of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, has warned its athletes to extreme precautions and avoid the consumption of local meat during their stay.
A dangerous substance. Although with low probability of positive, clenbuterol is a prohibited substance by the world anti -doping agency. The main use is as a bronchodilator in cattle animals to treat respiratory problems. However, its use He has been controversial Due to its anabolic effects, which promote the increase in muscle mass and fat reduction. In many countries, such as China, it has been illegally used to improve the performance of animals destined for human consumption, according to He explained The news agency.
The risk is greater. The problem arises when athletes consume meat contaminated with Clenbuterol, since the substance can remain in the flesh during the sacrifice process and, if appropriate precautions are not taken, athletes can ingest it without knowing it. Although the effects of Clenbuterol are more notorious in high doses, their presence in small quantities It can trigger A positive result in anti -doping controls, due to its anabolic properties that affect physical performance.
Athletes take precautions. Norwegian athletes Henriette Jaeger, bronze medalist at the World Cup, and Josefine Tomine Eriksenhan They have assured To the Norwegian NRK station that trusts experts: “I really enjoy eating meat, but you have to listen to professionals and trust them.” Eriksen, on the other hand, has affirmed that he will wear protein and cecina bars from Norway to cover his nutritional needs. Olympiatoppen has also warned about the importance of food hygiene during the stay in the Asian country, recommending consuming food only in high quality restaurants and hotels.
A problem that was already coming from before. It is not the first time that China is wrapped in controversies by doping. Four years ago, country swimming It was under scrutiny When it was revealed that 23 swimmers positive for trimetazidine, a prohibited substance. Although the Chinese authorities attributed the results to accidental food pollution and the athletes were not sanctioned, the case generated international doubts about transparency and anti -doping controls in the country.
But it is also global. Concern around this substance has also been detected in other countries, According to South China Morning Post. In fact, World Athletics, the governing body of world athletics, has indicated in ABC News That athletes and equipment are aware of these risks and take the appropriate precautions.
No official response. However, like They have denounced in Reuters, the media has tried to obtain an official response from the Chinese Athletics Association, but have not received any statement. This silence on the part of the authorities has highlighted uncertainty about how the problem will be managed.
An issue that goes beyond sport. The possibility of food pollution is a real risk for athletes, but it has also become one of the most common excuses when they face a positive doping. The case of Tenista Sinner It has been especially controversial: Despite his allegation of accidental doping for a massage, he was suspended only three months, a sanction that many inside the tennis They have considered A too indulgent measure. Nor is it a new argument. In 2010, cyclist Alberto Contador alleged having ingested meat contaminated with Clenbuterol in Irún, but It was also sanctioned and lost the Tour of France 2010 and the 2011 turn. In a context where the line between negligence and intentionally trap is increasingly difficult to draw, the debate on food doping not only remains open: it becomes increasingly uncomfortable.
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