RUGBY HAD A higher percentage of positive drugs tests in 2013 than athletics or cycling, according to figures released by the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA].
While cycling and athletics had rates of 1.2 per cent of positive tests, rugby was at 1.3 per cent. That was despite the latter having a considerably lower amount of tests carried out over the course of the year.
The results come as a slight surprise, given the oft-presumed association of cycling and athletics with performance-enhancing substances. 22,252 cyclists were tested in 2013, while 24,942 athletes and just 6,126 rugby players underwent urine and blood examinations.
These figures include all analyses conducted by the 33 WADA-accredited laboratories for in- and out-of-competition testing and by two additional laboratories that have been approved by WADA.
Analysis of the positive tests in rugby, of which there were a total of 78, indicates that a large proportion came from South Africa [16] and France [12].
1657 of the tests carried out by the International Rugby Board [IRB] in 2013 were analysed in WADA-approved labs, resulting in three bans. One of those involved a Scottish player, while the two others were Namibians.
Also included in WADA’s report are the 92 urine samples taken by the Irish Sports Council in rugby in 2013. Analysis of those samples returned two Adverse Analytical Findings [AAFs], which indicate the presence of prohibited substances or methods.
For more on the 2013 WADA reports, go to their official website.
