Taking the lead in the fight against EPO, Australia's Sports Drug Agency will begin blood testing athletes for the use of EPO, an illegal performance enhancing drug that can benefit endurance athletes. Australia's pro triathletes will be subject to these tests, and Triathlon Australia sent the following letter informing them of the testing:

Dear Triathlon Australia Member,

Please be advised that the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) will
introduce a blood testing program aimed at deterring and detecting the use
of recombinant erthropoietin (EPO) from January 2001.

ASDA's blood testing program will be based on the analytical detection
method for EPO recently approved by the IOC. This method was successfully
applied at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The program will operate as a
year-round out of competition and event testing program. Please note
athletes will be required to provide samples for testing at short notice or
no-notice, as per existing urine testing program procedures.

The legislative framework to support the introduction of blood testing has
been established through amendments to the ASDA Regulations and the
introduction of new Scheme B Drug Testing Orders. These Orders set out
procedures for collecting, securing and transporting blood samples. TA will
endeavor to place these new Orders on the TA Website immediately.

Further information on the new ASDA blood testing procedures will be
forwarded to all TA professional License holders as soon as they are
received from ASDA.