These meetings are scheduled for later this month. EPO is a naturally occurring hormone which stimulates the production of red blood cells. This increases the amount of oxygen the blood can carry to the muscles. Some endurance athletes use EPO to improve performance. EPO use can thicken the blood causing blood clots.
Blood clots increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Endurance athletes are particularly vulnerable, as their blood is normally thicker due to dehydration. Go to top of page C hief Executive confirms integrity of ASDA's drug testng but will investigate allegations of shortcomings 5 July 2000 ASDA Chief Executive Natalie Howson today refuted allegations by former Olympic discus thrower Werner Reiterer that two of his training partners had successfully employed methods to avoid ASDA drug testing and that ASDA has serious shortcomings in testing for the new generation of performance enhancing drugs. Natalie Howson said that ASDA was taking the matter very seriously and would immediately be conducting an investigation into the truth of the allegations. The Chief Executive said that ASDA's systems are robust and are in place to minimise opportunities for athletes to dodge drug tests. The Chief Executive expressed full confidence in ASDA's staff and the integrity of its systems.