Sysmex Journal International

2005Vol.15 No.2

Scientific Seminar

Sysmex America Hematology Analyzer Diagnostic Instrument of Choice for UCI Cycling Event —Follows Summer Olympics Debut

AUTHOR(S)

Ian GILES*1 and Torsten REINECKE*2

*1 Sysmex America
*2 Sysmex Europe GmbH

SUMMARY

Mundelein, Illinois, April 14, 2005 – In keeping with standards set forth by many international sports associations, the International Cycling Union ( UCI ) recently tested participants of the Union Cycliste Internationale Elite Track World Championships cycling event for blood doping and erythropoietin abuse– methods for artificially increasing red blood cell mass. The diagnostic instrument of choice for this testing was a Sysmex XE-2100 Automated Hematology Analyzer. Sysmex instruments were also used for testing athletes at the 2004 Tour de France ( XT-2000i ) and the 2004 Olympics in Athens ( XE-2100 ).

Many athletes turn to blood doping based on the assumption that an increased oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells leads to enhanced athletic performance – despite physiological evidence that oxygen is abundantly available at a mitochondrial level in skeletal muscle during endurance exercise.