This entry considers apparent high testosterone levels in the mid-1990's attributed to Lance Armstrong.
While Armstrong has claimed many times that he has never failed a drug test, the spectre of suspicious test results has been evident since 1999, when U.S. Cycling sent a request to the U.S. Olympic Analytical Laboratory while Armstrong was a member of Team U.S.A.
U.S. Cycling sought information regarding past tests results related to testosterone-epitestosterone levels ("T/E ratio"). Since the exogenous administration of testosterone does not affect levels of epitestosterone, testing of T/E ratios in urine are used to find athletes that are doping (1).
The normal T/E ratio is generally 1:1. Before 2005, a T/E ratio of 6:1 was considered abnormally high and an indication of doping. After 2005, the level was lowered to 4:1 (2).
U.S. Cycling sought past testing results for a rider identified only by drug-testing code numbers. However, Sports Illustrated reported in May 2011 that a source with knowledge of the request identified the cyclist was Armstrong. Tests results were provided for the years 1991 through to 1998, with the exception of 1997, the only year Armstrong did not compete due to his battle with cancer. In addition, Don Catlin, who operated the UCLA lab, also stated that five results from 1990, 1992 and 1993 could not be recovered (3).
Three tests stood out among the results provided: a 9.0:1 ratio in 1993, a 7.6:1 ratio in 1994 and a 6.5:1 ratio in 1996. According to SI, the lab was unable to confirm the results through further testing of two of the results; no mention is made of the third test result. Due to the inability to confirm the results, the tests were reported as negative (4).
When presented with the results, Catlin stated that one failed confirmation would be a 'once in a blue moon' occurrence. SI also presented the information to Andreas Breidbach, head of the UCLA lab's EPO department from 2003 through to 2006; he apparently expressed concern. He is reported to have said, "Wow, that should not happen. If you find a nine and can't confirm, there is something very wrong with your screening test" (5).
One very interesting actor in this debate is Catlin, who ran the UCLA lab. From 1990 to 2000, Armstrong was tested more than two dozen times by Catlin's lab.
When Armstrong returned to cycling in 2008, he announced that he would set up his own testing program to prove he was clean. He hired Catlin to run the testing program. SI reported that, when Breidbach learned of Armstrong's testing program run by Catlin, he recalled thinking, "Oh, great, Armstrong is being tested by his greatest admirer, and to the outside world it looks convincing." Floyd Landis is reported to have made a similar statement: "When I saw them together, it didn't surprise me. [Lance] knows Catlin well" (6).
Even Armstrong has acknowledged a close relationship with Catlin. Apparently, when he was once asked to identify who was the most influential person in his world, Armstrong responded: "Catlin."
Armstrong's testing program run by Catlin never really got off the ground. Apparently, there were a few tests done prior to competition, but when Armstrong began racing, the testing program was shut down, ostensibly because the formal testing procedures would have been more rigorous in any event. The announcement of his own testing program smacks of a publicity stunt given the fact it never really materialized.
In an August 2009 interview on Heavy Muscle Radio, Catlin is reported to have stated that, if athletes only use testosterone to raise their levels to 4.0:1, the maximum allowable under the present rules, it is unlikely testers would conduct a Carbon Isotope Ratio test, the only test to determine if the testosterone was of endogenous or exogenous origin. Therefore, an athlete using exogenous testosterone to increase levels could still be confident that he would not be caught by a positive test (7).
Catlin has a reputation as a fervent anti-doper. He has strongly rejected the allegations that he swept positive tests linked to Armstrong under the carpet. It remains to be seen whether Catlin will be exonerated or, if Armstrong is found to have participated in doping, whether Catlin is just one of many who have come under the spell of Armstrong.
Notes:
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epitestosterone
(2)http://m.si.com/news/to/to/detail/3775061/2;jsessionid=74E91659CCB8BF5FC2AAA4C30EEBDECF.cnnsi1
(3) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(4) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(5) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(6) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(7) http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?p=1444206
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