Approval likely for EPO test

A test for detecting EPO, one of the most prevalent performance-enhancing drugs in sport, is expected to be approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday, clearing the way for testing at the Sydney Olympics.

The combined blood-urine test, developed by Australian and French laboratories, obtained the go-ahead from an IOC panel of scientists and doping experts earlier this month and was backed by the IOC's Juridical commission on Sunday.

It is expected to easily clear the final hurdle and be rubber-stamped by the IOC executive board at Monday's meeting.

The IOC plans to conduct 300 tests for EPO (erythropoietin) starting on September 2 when competitors begin to move into the athletes' village in Sydney. Athletes will be subjected to urine and blood tests, both of which must prove positive before sanctions are threatened.

Finding a dependable test for EPO, which stimulates the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, has long been a top priority for the IOC.

The drug, originally developed to help fight kidney disease, has become increasingly popular among endurance athletes such as cyclists, long-distance runners and swimmers.

The executive board is expected to conclude a busy day of meetings by announcing the cities that will be accepted as candidates to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The executive board will review the candidatures of 10 cities -- Bangkok, Istanbul, Havana, Osaka, Paris, Beijing, Seville, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur and Cairo -- and decide which will survive the cut and advance to the final phase of the bidding process.

Only four or five cities are expected to make the cut as the IOC follows through on reforms to the bidding process brought about by the corruption and bribery scandals surrounding Salt Lake City's successful bid to stage the 2002 Winter Games.

The winning bid is scheduled to be named next July at the IOC congress in Moscow.

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