Erythropoietin, commonly called “EPO,” is a performance enhancing hormone which allows an athlete to increase oxygen capacity. It is also an illegal substance.
New Zealand marathon runner, Liza Hunter-Galvan, has been caught using EPO, and as a result, has been banned from competing. The New Zealand Olympic Committee has extended the ban to include the 2012 London Olympic Games:
“Disgraced New Zealand athlete Liza Hunter-Galvan will be ineligible to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has ruled.
United States-based marathon runner Hunter-Galvan was suspended for two years after testing positive for banned substance erythropoietin (EPO), with the ban to finish in May 2011.”
link: Hunter-Galvan banned from London Olympics
additional link: ‘I made a big mistake’ – Liza Hunter-Galvan
additional link: Liza Hunter-Galvan decried by team-mates
additional link: Disgraced NZ Olympic runner says she was ’stupid’
After some delaying tactics, Hunter-Galvan has admitted using the banned substance. Not only does the ban remove her from her sport, the results put many of her previous performances in doubt.
It is unfortunate that track and field has to go through this again.
Catherine Forsythe
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