Mark Kangogo, winner of the 2022 Sierre-Zinal race, was not too long ago disqualified for testing optimistic for 2 substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA). Path racing and ultrarunning have lengthy had very restricted drug testing, except for particular, record-qualifying occasions. With the large uptick in doping suspensions in highway racing and monitor, runners are curious how race administrators of extremely and path occasions are coping with this challenge.
The AIU has banned Mark Kangogo of Kenya for 3 years for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Norandrosterone & Triamcinolone acetonide) from 9 September 2022. DQ outcomes from 13 August 2022.
Particulars right here: https://t.co/PCk4A0TLb1 pic.twitter.com/ZO2gWLg3wi
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) October 13, 2022
The Quartz Program (also called the Well being Program) is organized by the Athletes For Transparency Affiliation (AFT) and is now utilized by among the world’s greatest path operating races, together with the Golden Path World Collection, UTMB and others). Whereas some drug testing is being accomplished at these races, athletes have expressed issues in regards to the lack of consistency throughout races and the numerous distinction in penalties sanctioned by Quartz in comparison with WADA. Right here’s what you have to know.
What precisely is the Quartz Program?
Quartz was initially established in 2008, with the primary purpose being to make sure a runner’s medical health to take part in a path operating occasion, in response to Simon Pallet, chair of the AFT.
Pallet explains that Quartz does medical checks earlier than the race to acquire an athlete’s organic profile, plus toxicology testing for banned substances on the end line. They will stop a runner from beginning if they’re deemed not medically match, and might disqualify them in the event that they take a look at optimistic for prohibited substances.
Quartz’s record of banned substances accommodates all of the medicine regulated by WADA, however with the addition of others akin to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), which have confirmed harmful in lengthy races.
Races utilizing Quartz
Two main path operating circuits at the moment use Quartz (and state it of their rules): the Golden Path Collection and UTMB. Different organizations, such because the Marathon des Sables and the Pageant des Templiers, additionally use Quartz’s providers.
#quartzprogram is again on the 2nd stage of the @golden_trail
For @MarathonMtBlanc urinary / blood / salivary testing at:
D-30
D-1
EndNo corticoïds (TUE), no beta2 agonist, no NSAIDs, no iron infusion…and many others
Nothing simply REAL #cleansport 😍#trailrunning #doping pic.twitter.com/ybQByQ39YL
— QUARTZ Program (@QUARTZprogram) July 1, 2021
Variations between Quartz and WADA
WADA’s insurance policies and goals are targeted on detecting utilization of prohibited substances and strategies.
Pallet says Quartz’s agenda is totally different: “The Quartz Program’s purpose consists of defending the athlete’s integrity and well being. For this reason we established a medical record together with extra substances to the anti-doping record, which have been confirmed to be harmful in competitors path operating.” He provides, “Our mission is to not catch those that cheat–though we’re happy to assist make the game honest–it’s to speak about well being points with the athletes and defend them once they aren’t in a position to do it themselves.”
Famend ultrarunners like a number of world-record holder Camille Herron have introduced consideration to the dearth of transparency throughout the sport, asking for there to be a better expectation for athletes to know the foundations round doping, in addition to penalties for extremely and path athletes who cheat.
Dishonest is horrible, and this egocentric act impacts others and violates the sanctity and integrity of honest sport. She was educated in a WADA accredited OOC program to be accountable for all the things that goes in your physique & checking medicines if a TUE is required. #cleansport
— Camille Herron (@runcamille) August 28, 2019
What authority does Quartz maintain over athletes?
At races or circuits that use Quartz, athletes will be prohibited from beginning if it’s judged that they’ve violated the race guidelines by non-compliance with the medical record. “Nonetheless, doping doesn’t concern us,” Pallet says. “What we’re taken with are the medical dangers akin to thrombosis or serious kidney failure.”
Quartz makes use of a medical strategy and doesn’t reveal outcomes. “If an athlete needs to, that’s their prerogative to elucidate, or not, why they don’t seem to be beginning the race,” Pallet says. He provides: “Within the context of anti-doping, sure athletes might enchantment any provisional suspension choices. On this case, they’re licensed to proceed operating whereas ready for the remainder of the process, which may typically be very prolonged. As a part of the Quartz Program, we will nonetheless legally stop them from taking part in competitions till the process is completely finalized.”
