UEFA reports on EURO 2012 anti-doping strategy

PanARMENIAN.Net - UEFA's comprehensive anti-doping strategy for EURO 2012 made sure that, as well as being a successful tournament on the field of play, it was also a drug-free one, UEFA’s official website reported.

UEFA's persistent efforts to combat doping in football continue to reap handsome rewards, with the recent EURO 2012 tournament the latest example of the sterling work being undertaken by all those with football's best interests at heart.

The EURO anti-doping initiative consisted of a comprehensive pre-tournament out-of-competition testing program with a full in-competition program during the tournament. Players were tested for the widest available range of potential doping substances.

At each doping control before and during the championship, blood and urine samples were collected by UEFA from players from the 16 teams at all doping controls. Tests were carried out by UEFA's DCOs, comprising medical doctors from throughout Europe. Analysis of samples was conducted at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Warsaw, according to an advanced analytical menu designed by experts from Europe's top anti-doping laboratories. This included screening for substances such as EPO and human growth hormone.

"The main aim of the UEFA anti-doping program is to keep the tournament free of doping, to protect the game and also to protect the health of the players," said Marc Vouillamoz, head of UEFA's anti-doping and medical unit. "It is extremely important to have a very deterrent testing program, because we want to give no chance to anyone, any player who would like to take advantage by taking prohibited substances."