2023-11-15 00:14:49
Photo: Twitter
Text: Editorial Cuba Noticias 360
On the eve of the meeting of its Executive Committee and its Foundation Board in Montreal this week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to lift an Analytical Testing Restriction (ATR) that had been imposed on the Havana anti-doping laboratory for a year. anus.
The limitation prohibited the Cuban facility from carrying out analytical testing for the gas chromatography/combustion/isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) method.
GC/C/IRMS is the official test to detect illicit doping of synthetic versions of endogenous steroids, such as testosterone. In October 2022, the Advisory Group of Laboratory Experts had recommended the impediment when considering the Cuban facility’s non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), a measure that began to be applied a month later.
WADA clarified that the Havana laboratory, despite the restriction, could continue to carry out its regular anti-doping activities according to ISL. However, he specified that for all required GC/C/IRMS analysis, it had to be subcontracted to another WADA-accredited laboratory.
In May 2023, WADA decided to extend this ban for another six months and has now just announced its suspension.
Following the decision of the president of WADA, the Polish Witold Banka, which came into force on November 9, 2023, “consequently, as of this date, the Cuban laboratory was able to resume all its anti-doping activities,” announced a statement recently issued by the world entity.
“However, as part of the decision to lift TKA, the laboratory must seek a second opinion before reporting an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) or Atypical Finding (ATF) based on GC/C/IRMS analysis for a period of 12 months from the date of the decision,” he noted.
The restriction had been extended for a period of six months “due to justified delays in addressing the conditions for lifting it. “In October 2023, the Group of Experts reviewed the documentation provided by Havana and considered that the evidence included and the laboratory management procedures “were adequate” in complying with these specific analyses, the statement explained.
According to the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thus ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards.
Throughout this year, the Cuban authorities never made public the situation that the Cuban laboratory was going through, which, since its founding 22 years ago, has never lost its international accreditation.
Nor was the public hearing aware of the difficulties faced in the last 12 months, a period in which all routine samples requiring GC/C/IRMS analysis had to be transported safely with a chain of custody to another WADA-accredited laboratory.
It is unknown which laboratory should have assisted the Cuban facility in this regard.
The monitoring process is carried out in conjunction with the International Organization for Standardization. The Bucharest and Stockholm labs have also been restricted for GC/C/IRMS indiscretions in the past.
At this time, the Havana Laboratory analyzed anti-doping tests from the Grand Prix of the International Weightlifting Federation in the Cuban capital and from the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, between last June and July.
On several occasions, the state press has echoed complaints from the State Sports Institute (INDER) and directors of the Havana laboratory regarding the effects of the US embargo on the normal performance of the anti-doping analytical process.
The Cuban administration has not clarified whether the deficiency in gas chromatography for which the WADA applied its measure was linked to Washington’s prohibitions or to problems unrelated to this situation.
According to the Centro Caribe Sports Medical Commission, 640 urine, blood and dried blood samples were taken outside of competitions and in competitions at the San Salvador Games for 0.46 percent of positive cases (ADVR), the lowest percentage in history. of these regional games that had the Dominican Republic as a sub-host.
Within that number, only three positive cases were detected, including that of the young Cuban weightlifter María Félix Sarría whose urine sample indicated anabolic steroid GC/C/IRMS, linked to the prohibited substance Boldenone. Of the three, only the Cuban, who was tested on June 27, had won a medal in those Games.
The use of Boldenone and any other anabolic steroid to improve sports performance is prohibited and considered doping. In medical cases, Boldenone is used to treat conditions such as anemia and osteoporosis. It has a permitted veterinary use, especially in the livestock industry.
Centro Caribe Sports announced that Sarría would be revoked of the gold medal he won in the clean and jerk over 87 kg “when the case ends” and “the corresponding disciplinary sanction would be applied.”
A group of experts created by the Institute of Sports Medicine of Cuba to investigate “in detail the particularities of the case” are about to announce their conclusions at the end of the 90-day period, according to what was learned. Cuba News 360.
The Havana Laboratory is one of 30 internationally accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
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