In the fight against doping, which has been a blow to sports competitions, the methods introduced in the 70s are still being applied. Stating that old methods often cause problems in athletes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan emphasized the importance of new methods and underlined that the fight against doping should be carried to middle and high school curricula and a serious struggle should be waged on this issue.
Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan made evaluations about the importance of anti-doping.
New approaches are needed
"The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been trying to come up with innovative approaches for years. However, the methods that are still applied are the methods that have been put forward since the 70s and have come to the present day with some modifications," said Assoc. Prof. Korkut Ulucan,
Currently, biochemical analyzes are carried out by taking blood and urine samples after the competition both in the creation of biological passports and in doping controls. Most of the time, this causes problems in athletes such as vascular contraction and inability to urinate. Both WADA and many anti-doping centers are looking for more practical solutions to this issue. Probably in the 2022 China Winter Olympics, at least some metabolites will be analyzed with new, practical and invasive methods, such as a few drops of blood sample to be taken from the fingertip."
The most important testing application in use today: Biological passport
Noting that the most important test application used today is the biological passport, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan,
"The biological passport is the most important application at the moment, even though it is being discussed, but new molecules definitely need to be added. Different doping substances or masking agents are being used every day, and they definitely need to be included in the biological passport. Perhaps, over time, so many doping substances and metabolites will not be analyzed, and much more practical, fast, reliable and cheap applications will be realized with new metabolites to be added to the list."
"Anti-doping must be included in middle and high school curricula"
Stating that the fight against doping should have multiple dimensions, Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan concluded his words as follows
"There are anti-doping commissions within each federation and they should be much more active. However, these commissions alone cannot be enough to prevent doping. The legal dimension of this work must be much more effective and deterrent; however, the fight against doping must be carried to middle and high school curriculums and more importance must be given in sports clubs."