In 2013, a Canarian doctor Eufemiano Fuentes He was tried following an investigation called Port Operationsin which illegal actions related to doping which he did over the years with some of the top athletes of the 90s. Since then, he has kept virtually silent, not naming too many names. However, now some statements recorded Hidden camera in which he admits such impressive realities as the fact that the Spanish government itself asked him to dope athletes in Olympic Games in Barcelona 92.
Some names have also come to light that represent a splash of cold water in the history of Spanish sport. But also today. The techniques and tools he used during doping were already known, although these new statements confirmed them. Above all, it seems that he resorted to blood transfusionbut also to hormones such as testosterone and drugs such as EPO.
So how can something as simple as a blood transfusion, or as seemingly normal as a legal drug, help improve athletes’ performance?
The Deepest Secrets of Eufemiano Fuentes
“Do what you have to do, but we need medals.” According to Eufemiano Fuentes, it was with these words that the Spanish government, then headed by Felipe Gonzalezasked him to pump doping into the Barcelona-92 athletes.
There were only two conditions. That it did not endanger their health and that they did not test positive for doping. He almost succeeded, although research conducted ten years later exposed many of his practices. What was not revealed were the names of the athletes involved. At least not all of them.
In an interview with Jordi Evola in 2021, he only admitted that one of the athletes who used his services was a middle-distance runner. Fermin Cacho. So far he has not named any more names. However, on a hidden camera recorded by international journalists, he admitted that another one of them was Cayetano Cornetformer athlete and current Chief of Mission of the Spanish Olympic Team at the Paris Games.
The veracity of these statements would have to be checked, so as not to question the reputation of this athlete without evidence. For now, we leave this part to the discretion of the authorities and let’s move on to the science of this whole issue. What drugs did Eufemiano Fuentes use to dope Spanish athletes?
Almost invisible doping
Athletes are required to undergo multiple drug tests. However, corrupt doctors like Eufemiano Fuentes can seek out methods and doses that are much harder to detect. This has allowed him to operate undetected for years.
I mainly resorted to blood transfusion. This is a fairly old technique, which began to be used back in the 1970s. In general terms, it is achieved by increasing the athletes’ red blood cell supply before competitions. Since these cells are responsible for transport oxygenIt is guaranteed that more of it reaches the muscles, increasing the athletes’ performance.
Over time, it was replaced by an administration. recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). This is a drug that promotes the production of red blood cells and is usually given to patients with very severe anemia. The effects on athletes are the same. Eufemiano Fuentes himself began using this doping option. However, testing for this substance has improved significantly, so he and other doctors have returned to the original blood transfusion.
Also with hormones
On the other hand, it is used quite often hormones such as testosterone. It is known that this was one of the substances that Eufemiano Fuentes worked with, as it was observed to increase the level hypertrophy (increase in the cross-section of muscle fibers), maximum strength and powerIt is for this reason that it is primarily used in doping athletes involved in strength and endurance.
Along with other athletes, Eufemiano used insulin. Logically, this hormone is only allowed for athletes who provide medical reports confirming that they have diabetes. And although it may not seem so, it gives an advantage over other athletes. As we already know, insulin helps introduce glucose which is found in the bloodstream of cells so they can use it for gain power. Diabetics have low or absent levels of this hormone, so their blood glucose levels are dangerously high. On the other hand, insulin stimulates glycogen formationa reserve carbohydrate that releases glucose into the blood when needed.
If athletes take insulin beyond what they naturally produce, their muscle cells will have more energy. They will also have more glycogen to provide more energy after the muscle loss caused by exercise. That is why it is considered doping.
Everything Eufemiano Fuentes used was natural substances from our body. At least most of what he used. But if they remain at a certain level, there is usually a reason. The rest is cheating, and the Spanish athletes have clearly demonstrated that they do not need it. It is much more pleasant to win by playing by the rules.
Source: Hiper Textual
