Tour de France: The Commitment to Clean Competition
Jun 27, 2024
Tour de France: The Commitment to Clean Competition
There was a time when the Tour was less about who could pedal the fastest and more about who had the best chemistry set. It was the death of world champion Tommy Simpson on the slopes of Mount Ventoux from the use of amphetamines in 1967 that was a major factor in the decision to start drug testing in the Olympics, which began in 1968. The sport of cycling has been marred by numerous doping scandals over the years but there has been progress as the sport has recommitted itself to clean competition. Unfortunately, as the sport tries to make progress some riders continue to look for alternative doping agents to enhance performance, as is the case with Miguel Angel Lopez who was just handed a 4 year ban after testing positive for a female fertility drug Menotropin during the 2022 Giro D’Italia. The Lopez case is a testament to the ability of the anti-doping system to detect drugs that continue to be abused and keep dopers off the roads.
The Importance of Clean Competition in Cycling
Cycling’s governing bodies have taken charge and leveled up their testing strategies. Today's cyclists, like Jonas Vingegaard, undergo rigorous anti-doping tests, sometimes up to four times in just two days, to ensure they compete on a level playing field. This commitment to clean sport is vital for maintaining the integrity of cycling and ensuring that victories are earned through hard work and talent.
Third-Party Certification of Supplements and CBD
Surveys show that the majority of athletes use dietary supplements, yet research has shown that 28% of more than 3,000 supplements reviewed have the potential to cause inadvertent positive drug tests. CBD products have also gained popularity among pro and recreational cyclists for their potential benefits in pain relief, inflammation reduction, and recovery enhancement. However, the presence of elevated levels of THC in some CBD products can lead to positive drug tests, which is why third-party certification for CBD products is crucial. Third-party certification programs like BSCG Certified Drug Free and BSCG Certified CBD help ensure dietary supplements and CBD products are free from THC and other banned substances, providing athletes with safe options to aid their performance and recovery.
Ensuring Clean Cycling
Several strategies have been put in place to maintain the integrity of cycling,
- Enhanced Testing Protocols: Implementing rigorous and comprehensive testing procedures, including blood tests, can detect a broader range of banned substances and prevent doping.
- Education and Outreach: Educating cyclists, coaches, and medical staff about the risks and consequences of doping is vital. Awareness programs can inform them about safe supplement use and the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations.
- Third-Party Certification: Contaminated supplements remain a major concern as the risk of testing positive from untested products is high. Third-party certified dietary supplements, like those in the Certified Drug Free program, and CBD products, like those in the BSCG Certified CBD program, provide assurance that products are free from THC and other banned substances as well as verifying CBD content claims and screening for environmental contaminants. This extra layer of security helps athletes avoid inadvertent doping with supplements or CBD products.
- Strict Compliance and Transparency: Cycling authorities must enforce strict compliance with anti-doping regulations and maintain transparency in testing and disciplinary processes.
Celebrating Clean Sport at the Tour de France While Remaining Vigilant
As we gear up for the Tour de France, it's important to celebrate the values that make cycling such a revered sport – fair play, integrity, and equality. By promoting rigorous anti-doping strategies and advocating for third-party certification of supplements and CBD products, we can help preserve the integrity of cycling and the riders and ensure that the sport remains a true reflection of athletic excellence.
But we must remain vigilant for alternative doping agents that may creep into the sport and rekindle the doping debate. Unfortunately, as we prepare for the 2024 Tour doping is back in the spotlight with Miguel Angel Lopez testing positive as a result of using a female fertility drug called Menotropin, which contains follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Menotropin is not on the WADA Prohibited List, but FSH and LH are banned. FSH and LH are not found often in doping controls but they are detectable. Here the system worked and rooted out another doper giving confidence to cycling fans around the world that we can keep this sport clean.
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