Santiago Botero and high testosterone

antoineg

I'm creating a new thread rather than clutter up the Hamilton thread, specifically to explore the issue of Santiago Botero.

In 1999 Botero was suspended for 6 months for having four separate test readings showing high testosterone.

The four test readings showed 17, 27, 28, and 29 nanograms. I'm not sure what the "scale" was, but presume it was per liter, since many references I've found show normal male testosterone to be about .3 - 1.2 ng/l, and the allowable limit for testosterone at the time was 6 nanograms according to this article from cyclingnews.com

So, Botero had 3 - 5 times the maximum allowed testosterone, and was banned.

He was later cleared and told he could resume cycling because he showed that he had an unusually high normal testosterone level.

The doctor who showed that this was the case? Eufemiano Fuentes.

Who is Eufemiano Fuentes? Why does that name ring a bell? He was the Kelme team doctor during the time that Jesus Manzano alleged that there was a widespread and systematic doping problem within the team. Manzano alleged to have prescriptions for testosterone signed by Fuentes.

So, you have the interesting situation of a rider banned for doping (Botero) "cleared" by a doctor who not too long afterwards was implicated in one of the largest systematic-doping scandals of recent years.

The person on the Hamilton thread brought up Botero as an example of someone who was thought to be guilty, but in reality was not.

So what do you think?

musette

Botero has not been too effective whilst at T-Mobile, claiming at times a virus has infected him. Certain T-M brass think it's a mental problem. This doesn't support or refute the testosterone theory. I'm just noting that Botero hasn't been too effective at T-M.

gntlmn

Well, if his testosterone now is still as high as it was then, then his performance has not declined as a result of not having it anymore.

Also, I wonder if the testimony of only one doctor would be sufficient to prove normal high testosterone level. It seems like they would have had corroborating evidence of some nature.

antoineg

If anyone can find anything else on this it would be great. Everything I've read said it was Fuentes and Fuentes only who made the case to the Columbian Cycling Federation, who were in charge of sanctions at that point. They lifted the sanctions based on his presentation.

gntlmn

I'm trying to find something on this. In the meantime, here's an interesting blurb from http://www.members.shaw.ca/andreaso...4.05.13.04.html

IS THAT LOVE OR LUST YOU’RE STUDYING?
A sex researcher in Italy has discovered that testosterone levels in men and women tend to equal out when they fall in love. Donatella Marazziti, a scientist at the University of Pisa, found that when couples fall in love, men’s testosterone levels begin to decrease, while love-struck women get an extra surge of the hormone. But alas, love doesn’t last very long. A follow up study carried out two years later found that all the subjects testosterone levels were back to normal. (Reuters)


I wonder what Santiago Botero's range is. When they test, they come up with an exact number, but apparently, this level fluctuates.

gntlmn

Here's another interesting comment about exemptions in pro cycling for another test level--hematocrit.

http://www.bikecal.com/tdf99/s4.htm
Cycling's governing body announced Tuesday that 16 cyclists have been certified to race with a hematocrit level that exceeds the 50 percent limit.

The hematocrit level measures the proportion of red blood cells in a blood sample - one sign of drug use since the substances increase red blood cells.

The International Cycling Union noted that 3 percent of the global population has a hematocrit level higher than 50 percent.

It wasn't clear how many, if any, of the riders issued those certificates are racing in this year's tour. U.S. racer Jonathan Vaughters has one, but he was injured in Monday's crash and forced to abandon the race.