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Cancer Drug Becomes Athlete's Nightmare
18 Feb
Summary
- Ostarine, a cancer drug, now causes athlete doping issues.
- Contaminated supplements and sweat transfer lead to bans.
- Scientist works to distinguish accidental vs. intentional doping.
A drug developed to aid cancer patients with muscle wasting, Ostarine, has become a contentious substance in elite sports. Its creator, James Dalton, now dedicates time to preventing its misuse rather than promoting its medical applications. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (Sarm), intended as a safer alternative to steroids for muscle-building.
Despite not yet passing clinical trials for medical approval, Ostarine is illegally sold as a sports supplement. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has banned it since 2008, with it being the most detected Sarm in athlete samples over the past two years. Athletes face strict liability, meaning any banned substance in their system can lead to a ban, regardless of intent.
Poor supplement quality control means Ostarine can appear undeclared in products. Athletes can also test positive due to accidental transfer through sweat or shared equipment. Dalton's current research aims to develop testing methods to distinguish between contamination and intentional doping, to protect innocent athletes while still catching cheaters.
