Australian scientists said yesterday they have developed the first test for the banned performance-enhancing drug Erythropoietin. The test could be ready for use at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
The research has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the battle against doping. EPO is a naturally occurring substance which boosts the production of red cells and helps an athlete's blood to carry more oxygen. However, it can also cause heart failure and strokes.
Sports Minister Andrew Thomson said scientists at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra had developed a test to detect artificially administered EPO.
The Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) yesterday confirmed that Seville would be the Spanish candidate for the 2008 Olympics.
COE President Ferrer Salat conceded that Seville would have a tough job winning the battle to stage the 2008 Olympics after Athens was awarded the 2004 Games.
"It will not be easy for a European candidate to win 2008. The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said nothing is written (as policy) but history has shown there is a tendency to change the continent where each edition of the Games are staged," he said.
"I think Seville can show enough experience with the world athletics championships in 1999 and the World rhythmic gymnastics championships this year."
Security for the Sydney 2000 Olympics may be upgraded after the hooliganism that has hit the World Cup in France, a Games official said yesterday.
According to Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) member Ian Armstrong, observers in France will report on violence and will also be attend the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
