Base10Blog: Say it Ain't So, Floyd

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Say it Ain't So, Floyd
Base10 hasn't weighed in on the Floyd Landis controversy yet--largely because the case is still out. For those who haven't been following, Floyd Landis, the recent winner of the Tour de France, tested positive for high levels of testosterone after his near-miraculous performance in stage 17. Landis has proclaimed his innocence saying that the high testosterone levels were naturally occurring. However, the NY Times is reporting that the testosterone in question was synthetic. Meanwhile, Landis has asked that his backup sample be tested and results are expected by Saturday, although he expects the same result. So what is it? Drugged-up fraud or awe-inspiring athlete? Before you jump on the media bandwagon, there are a couple of things you should know:

While this may sound lame, drinking may have caused this. Landis is a drinker and was drinking a fair amount of whiskey the night before stage 17. There are several scientific studies suggesting that alchohol consumption does indeed increase testosterone levels. For a great review of this issue read this article by Carl Bialik in the Wall Street Journal.

Testosterone isn't an endurance-enhancing substance like say EPO. It augments the production of muscle mass and it does so only over a period of time. Taking a shot of testosterone before a race would do little if anything to enhance performance. There is no logical reason why Landis would have taken it.

Aren't the synthetic testosterone findings positive proof of doping? Maybe. Maybe not. To quote from the WSJ link above:
The New York Times, citing an unnamed person at the cycling union, reported Monday night that a follow-up test confirmed Mr. Landis's urine contained some testosterone not produced naturally by his system. This result would have been determined by analyzing the atomic makeup of the testosterone molecule, via a technique called mass spectrometry.

Such an analysis is based on the phenomenon that atoms of a given element, such as carbon, can have differing weights, depending on which subatomic particles make them up. The Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry reportedly used on Mr. Landis's urine would measure the ratio of Carbon-13 to Carbon-12 in his testosterone, and compare that to the ratio in his cholesterol. Natural testosterone in the body is derived from cholesterol, and so it should have the same ratio of C-13/C-12, but synthetic testosterone would have a different profile.

Dr. Thevis, from the Cologne sports lab, told me this method is reliable: "There have been a lot of studies showing that differentiation is absolutely reliable and reproducible." Dr. Zorzoli declined to confirm the Times report, but, speaking generally, said, "If the case is on the evidence of exogenous testosterone, alcohol intake doesn't create exogeneous testosterone in body."

But a more-cautious note was sounded by Dr. Davis, who is now the technical director for Mass Spec Solutions Ltd., a Wythenshawe, U.K., maker of mass-spectrometry devices. "Quite regularly there are errors in the isotope tests," he said. "It's a very difficult analytical technique."

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about this whole affair is the Landis' conviction of doping in the media. Mr. Bialik refers to it as "chemical McCarthyism." The test results--including the mass spectrometry results--should never have een leaked prior to the "B" sample being tested. It goes against American sensibilities to convict someone before all the facts are in. Landis' carreer is severely damaged, even if it turns out he is not guilty. This article notes that John Eustice, ESPN's cycling analyst, said that no cyclist has ever lost an appeal challenging high testosterone levels.

Of course, some people have used the Landis affair--questions and all--to rip Lance Armstrong. (Check especially the last comment in that link).

In baseball news, the Mets lost last night to Florida 6-5 after a walk-off homer by Marlins pinch-hitter Josh Willingham. Billy Wagner, what happened? Certainly, the euphoria following the Atlanta sweep wasn't going to last forever. Anyway, Tom Glavine takes the mound for tonight's game. Click here for a preview. Events have moved quickly for the Mets. Duaner Sanchez is out for the season prompting the last minute trade acquiring Roberto Hernandez for Xavier Nady just before the trade deadline. Lastings Milledge is back, too.

Finally, in football camp news, the Jets seem to be positive and Chad Pennington looks like he had a good practice. And Giant's tight end Jeremy Shockey appears to have lost his mind. In more ways than one.
- posted by Base10 @ 11:37 AM

Comments:

OK.... Count me as part of the confused... Now, I'm no pharmacist, but as I understand it, Floyd's tests were negative all the way up to the stage 17 test. I'm also of the understanding that synthetic testosterone (any testosterone actually) takes time to become effective.

So... If I am of the correct understanding, then we are all being asked to believe one of two things... (1) Floyd was drug free until his disasterous segment of the Tour, after which he, out of desperation, massively doped up on a non-stamina drug to the point where he couldn't possibly pass a test. OR... (2) The testing system is loose enough that it missed him countless times previously, and we're being asked to believe that the lab folks finally have their act together this time.

I would think perhaps that some of Floyd's previous samples should be re-tested with more rigor to determine if they too have elevated levels of testosterone, and if they test positive for synthetics. Successful use of testosterone requires prolonged usage to be effective, and as such, if it was part of his training regimen, it should be in his prior samples.

Personally... This looks a little fishy... Is this the same lab that attacked Lance Armstrong, using similar pre-release "leaks" of results communication techniques...? It's a complex analysis... How "hard" would it be to make an error, by accident or not...?

# posted by

Anonymous : 1:03 AM