Clean Running: The Path to Integrity in Endurance Sports
Apr 16, 2024
Clean Running: The Path to Integrity in Endurance Sports
As athletes from around the world gear up for the prestigious Boston and London Marathons this April, the spirit of competition is alive and electric. Yet, beneath the surface of these iconic races lies a critical conversation about the integrity of sports and the role of clean running to ensure fair competition. Unfortunately many marathon wins have been marred by doping, glorifying cheaters and delaying glory for clean athletes who would have won if not for banned substances. But doping is not always intentional or purposeful. Most marathon runners use some kind of dietary supplements exposing them to the risk that something on the label might actually be a banned substance, or worse yet that a supplement might be contaminated with something not on the label. The stories of athletes like Diana Kipyokei, a former Boston Marathon winner, highlight the complex battle against doping in endurance sports—a challenge exacerbated by the risk of contaminated supplements.
The High Stakes of Integrity
In 2021, Diana Kipyokei was stripped of her Boston Marathon title and is now serving a six year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance triamcinolone, a corticosteroid that helps to reduce inflammation. She later admitted to using a medication that contained the banned substance, something athletes need to constantly be vigilant about. However, pain meds are also ripe for contamination putting athletes at risk of inadvertent doping. The FDA has identified at least 22 arthritis and pain products with ingredients not disclosed on the product label. They found prescription-only drugs, which include corticosteroids, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants, some of which can make an athlete test positive in a drug test. While Kipyokei's case is a reminder to be careful to check your medications for banned substances, the FDA findings highlight the risk that undeclared substances may be hiding in pain medications or other supplement or nutrition products, demonstrating the fine lines between glory and downfall.
The Risk of Contaminated Supplements
The world of sports supplements is fraught with the risk of accidental ingestion of contaminated products, or inadvertent ingestion of banned substances that may be on the label. Even products that seem harmless may be contaminated with small amounts of banned substances, leading to positive drug tests and career-threatening consequences for unsuspecting athletes. A recent survey of surveys highlighted that 28% of more than 3,000 supplements analyzed put athletes at risk of inadvertent positive drug tests. The case of Australian marathoner Cassie Fien from 2017 is a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking unverified supplements. She tested positive after consuming a product that contained the recently banned substance higenamine, which is present naturally in some plants and has become a popular stimulant and weight loss product ingredient. She served a nine month ban for her mistake.
These examples are a wake-up call for athletes and supplement makers to seek reputable third-party certifications that review and test supplements to ensure safety and compliance with anti-doping regulations. Batch testing for banned substances is the best way to ensure supplements are free of banned substances. Many brands say their products are free of banned substances, but third-party certification and testing is the only way to actually be sure they are not contaminated. Third-party certification builds trust with athletes and support personnel and is a competitive advantage in the market. By choosing third-party certified products, athletes can focus on their performance and have peace of mind that their supplements do not contain banned substances in sport.
Championing Clean Competition
The Boston and London Marathons are more than just races; they are a testament to human endurance, spirit, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Athletes, coaches, and supplement makers must promote transparency and integrity, ensuring every competitor stands on the starting line with an unyielding commitment to fair play. The integrity of running and endurance sports hinges on the collective efforts of the athletic community to combat doping. By fostering a culture of transparency and prioritizing clean supplements, the spirit of competition remains untainted, celebrating the true essence of sportsmanship.
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