– Don Catlin antidoping laboratory
– Elite antidoping laboratory.
Dr. Don Catlin: A Pioneer in Antidoping Research
Dr. Don Catlin, renowned for his groundbreaking work in antidoping research and his contributions to the field of sports medicine, passed away on January 16 at the age of 85. His son, Oliver, confirmed that the cause of death was a stroke, adding that his father had also been diagnosed with dementia.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Drug Testing in Sports
Dr. Catlin, often referred to as the father of drug testing in sports, was the director of the U.C.L.A. Olympic Analytical Laboratory from 1982 to 2007. It was during this time that he built the first U.S. antidoping laboratory, leading the way in uncovering the chemistry behind various performance-enhancing drugs and catching athletes who cheated by using banned substances.
Under his guidance, the lab tested thousands of urine samples every year, searching for traces of banned substances in U.S. Olympians, professional football players, baseball players, and even FIFA World Cup participants.
A Towering Legend in the Field
Travis T. Tygart, chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, described Dr. Catlin as a towering legend in the antidoping field. He praised Dr. Catlin’s ability to explain complicated scientific concepts to sports professionals and his expertise in carbon isotope ratio analysis.
During his tenure, Dr. Catlin witnessed several high-profile drug scandals in sports, including the case of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who was stripped of his gold medal in the 100-meter race at the 1988 Summer Olympics after testing positive for anabolic steroids.
Uncovering Designer Steroids and Advancing Doping Detection
Throughout his career, Dr. Catlin made significant advancements in the field of doping detection. In the late 1990s, he developed the carbon isotope ratio, a method that could determine whether an anabolic steroid was naturally produced in the body or came from a banned substance.
In 2002, he revealed the use of erythropoietin (EPO), a substance that increases endurance, in sports for the first time. His work led to the disqualification of three gold medalists in cross-country skiing who tested positive for EPO.
Dr. Catlin also played a key role in exposing the use of designer steroids, such as tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and norbolethone, by athletes. His discoveries were instrumental in the investigations of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (Balco) scandal, which implicated high-profile athletes like Barry Bonds and Marion Jones.
A Legacy of Dedication and Commitment
After retiring from the U.C.L.A. laboratory, Dr. Catlin continued his work in antidoping research and founded a business with his son Oliver. They provided customized drug testing programs for sports organizations, athletes, and schools, as well as testing and certifying dietary supplements for banned substances.
Dr. Catlin’s commitment to keeping sports drug-free stemmed from his belief in the beauty and integrity of the Olympic Games. He once said, “I can’t think of anything more exciting than the Olympic model, where countries from all over the world send their best athletes to compete against each other. That’s gorgeous. What could be nicer? Except it’s the drugs, stupid.”
Dr. Don Catlin leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and unwavering dedication to the fight against doping in sports. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field, shaping antidoping efforts worldwide.
.
1. “Don Catlin, Elite Antidoping Laboratory, Dies at”
2. “Don Catlin, Ran an Elite Antidoping Laboratory, Dies at”.
