Government stamps biological passport for athletes

Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy has launched the Athlete Biological Passport program to track and chart the biological attributes of athletes and further enhance the integrity of Australian sport.

The program will be implemented by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) as part of its testing program and will be instrumental to detect signs of doping in sport.

The Athlete Biological Passport uses the latest anti-doping technology to produce an electronic record of an individual athlete's biological attributes, developed over a period of time from multiple blood samples.

Senator Lundy said that the Athlete Biological Passport will mean Australia is using the best available methods to ensure fairness is upheld on our nation's sporting fields and Australian athletes are clean when they compete around the world.

Senator Lundy explained "the Australian Government is committed to eradicating doping in sport and the biological passport will be an effective tool in the fight against doping, improving our ability to target athletes who may cheat.

"There is no place for drug cheats in sport and the biological passport will be an important program to protect the integrity of sport and stamp out drug cheats.

"The addition of the Athlete Biological Passport to ASADA's range of detection tools reflects Australia's zero-tolerance approach to doping and our commitment to upholding the integrity of sport.

"The passport program will make it harder for drug cheats to get away with taking performance enhancing drugs undetected over the course of their careers.

"As well as further enhancing the integrity of Australian sport, the biological passport will move the international sporting community closer to a level playing field, allowing for easier global monitoring of athletes."

The Athlete Biological Passport differs from traditional detection methods by looking at the effects of blood doping rather than detecting the prohibited substances or methods.

Senator Lundy said the Athlete Biological Passport will initially be focused at elite athletes, but any Australian athlete in ASADA's testing jurisdiction may be passport tested.

ASADA will be working closely with athletes and sporting organisation to ensure they are fully informed about the changes.

3rd April 2012 - GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT RESEARCH