If you see cyclists searching for worms, beware! They might be doping. Doping is one of the most hated as well as one of the extensively used practices in the realm of sports. We have numerous instances of famous athletes getting banned due to the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs. From Diego Maradona in soccer to Lance Armstrong in cycling, experts have been left scratching their heads. However, as technology developed, most of these illegal substances are easily detectable. Surprisingly, a recently found worm haemoglobin might soon turn out to be a huge problem in cycling! 

Recent reports stated that cyclists are using the haemoglobin of a particular type of marine worm. A major reason for this is that the haemoglobin component has the ability to transport forty times more oxygen into the blood than usual. And the most concerning part? It might be untraceable after use. So, are these rumors true? What do the experts say? 

Experts debunk doping possibility in cycling 

The rumors reached the ears of Peter Van Eenoo. He works as an anti-doping expert. Eenoo stated that there is no need to worry at the moment about the so-called doping ‘threat’. He even joked about the matter, asking people to inform him if they saw cyclists digging up worms. 

Playing down the rumors, Eenoo stated that he doesn’t have any information about a team inclining to such practices. He further detailed the reason why one should not be worried just yet. Eenoo said that the compound is very rare to get one’s hands on. A solitary company in France has the right to sell it and they exercise strict control over it. He further clarified, “It’s pretty easy to detect. In normal blood, plasma turns yellow when tested. With a synthetic haemoglobin, such as Hemarina, it turns red. I’m not really worried at the moment.”  

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With a large chunk of concern debunked, let’s look at how the rumor started in the first place.

The lugworm haemoglobin threat

Dr. Frank Zal, along with his team, came up with Arenicola marina lugworm extracellular haemoglobin. This was also known as HEMOXYCarrier, which is used solemnly for medicinal purposes. Now, a recent report stated that Zal had been contacted by a “well-known cyclist” who is a regular at Tour De France. He further accused the cyclist of demanding access to the lugworm haemoglobin for his team. 

Read More: Another Cyclist Fails Doping Test Taking the Count to 4 at Asian Games

Further adding fuel to the rumor, WADA told I’Equipe about the substance having the potential to go undetected in blood. However, Van Eenoo was positive about this as well. He stated that normally the plasma, when tested, will turn yellow. However, blood tampered with lugworm haemoglobin will remain red. 

Do you think cyclists are secretly using the substance? Let us know in the comments below.

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