Meat off the menu for Norwegians in China over doping fears
April 24 (Reuters) - Norwegian athletes have been advised by the organisation responsible for training the country's elite competitors not to eat any type of meat while competing in China due to fears it could cause a positive doping test.
Olympiatoppen, which is part of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, stated that consuming meat could lead to the unintentional ingestion of banned substances, posing a small but real risk of testing positive.
The 2025 World Athletics Relays will take place in early May at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, while the Diamond League event in Shanghai is scheduled for May 3, where several Norwegian athletes are set to compete.
"Studies have shown that athletes have inadvertently ingested clenbuterol when eating meat in China, as some animals are fed hormones to promote growth. If a meat-based meal is consumed before a doping test, the athlete may test positive," Olympiatoppen stated in their guidelines, as seen by Reuters.
"Therefore, Olympiatoppen advises athletes to avoid all types of meat while in China."
Reuters has contacted World Athletics, the sport's governing body, and the Chinese Athletics Association for comment.
Norwegian athlete Henriette Jaeger, a bronze medallist in the 400 metres at the world indoor championships this year and who will soon compete in China, confirmed she will follow the guidelines.
"I really enjoy eating meat, and it's very good for the body when you're going to compete. But you have to listen to the professionals and trust them," she told Norwegian state broadcaster NRK.
Fellow athlete Josefine Tomine Eriksen is also taking the advice seriously.
"I don't want to be a 'veggie', (vegetarian) but you do need a bit of protein, so I'll bring some protein bars from Norway. Maybe a bit of beef jerky too."
Olympiatoppen also warned against poor food hygiene in general and recommended eating at high-quality restaurants and hotels while in China.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
21 minutes ago
- Reuters
South Africa win toss and put Australia into bat in WTC final
LONDON, June 11 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and put Australia into bat, looking to unleash his pace attack at the start of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. Clouds overhead at the start of the opening day swayed his decision with Bavuma stating the conditions would be "favourable for the new ball". South Africa's strong seam attack contrasts with their inexperienced batting attack and their hopes of an upset win in the final rest on the bowling skills of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and spinner Keshav Maharaj. Australia captain Pat Cummins said they were happy to bat first. "It looks a good wicket and cloud at the start is pretty normal for England. I think it'll get dryer later in the match and offer plenty of turn," he predicted. Both teams announced their line-ups on the eve of the clash with Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood back for Australia after injury while South Africa sprung a surprise in their batting order. Green's inclusion means that Marnus Labuschagne will open while Hazlewood takes the place of Scott Boland in the bowling attack. Green was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back during the one-day international series in England last year and had surgery in October but returned playing for Gloucestershire in English county cricket in April. Hazlewood had a calf strain and missed out when Australia last played a test in Sri Lanka in February. South Africa have promoted Wiaan Mulder up the order to bat at No. 3 and included Lungi Ngidi in the bowling attack ahead of 36-year-old veteran Dane Paterson, who has been playing for Middlesex in the County Championship. Ngidi has not played in South Africa's last seven tests, all of which they won to book their place in the WTC final. Mulder has only twice before batted at No. 3, having come in mostly at seven from where he made his only test century, last in October in Bangladesh. Australia won the last WTC final against India at The Oval two years ago while New Zealand were inaugural winners in 2021. Teams: Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Eddie Hearn reveals new timeline for Anthony Joshua's retirement as ‘curveball' talks change plans for next fight
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANTHONY JOSHUA could be heading into his final year in boxing - as the search for his next opponent continues on. AJ is recovering from elbow surgery in May and preparing to enter training camp for his first fight since losing to Daniel Dubois in September. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Promoter Eddie Hearn with Anthony Joshua Credit: Reuters Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed a comeback bout is targeted between October-December and Dillian Whyte, 37, was their frontrunner opponent. But now Whyte is closing in on a deal to instead face 20-year-old British sensation Moses Itauma on August 16 in Saudi Arabia. It leaves the returning Deontay Wilder as another option for Joshua - who could be approaching his final year in the sport. Hearn told DAZN: "Dillian Whyte was probably the frontrunner, to be honest with you. Now it looks like he's going to fight Moses - so that was a curveball. READ MORE IN boxing WOULD BE WILD Wilder emerges as shock contender for AJ as Whyte rematch is ruled out "Jared Anderson's been mentioned, obviously Deontay Wilder's back soon. "I think AJ would have been out the ring just over a year by the time he steps back into the ring. "He will be coming off surgery, I don't think (Tyson) Fury's going to be ready to fight around that time anyway. "But I expect it to be someone to gear him up for a really big fight in 2026. And probably, 2026 will be his last year in the sport." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Wilder is coming off a KO loss to Zhilei Zhang, 42, last summer having been stunned on points by Joseph Parker, 33, in December 2023. And the 39-year-old now returns on June 27 in Kansas against little-known 24-5 Tyrrell Herndon - where he can look to revive the AJ fight once more. 'We never know' - Tyson Fury refuses to rule out comeback as Anthony Joshua nears new 'amazing' fight deal Hearn added: "AJ-Wilder's a massive fight as well and I think because of the loss to Dubois, it makes the fight more palatable. "Especially if Wilder can come back with a good win." Fury, 36, was twice beaten by Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year and announced his retirement in January a month after losing the rematch. But Hearn still holds out hope the unpredictable Gypsy King will return to fight Joshua - setting up a swan song double header. He said: "It's probably three fights away. For me, if I'm advising AJ, we're back this year, we have two Tyson Fury fights, what else is there to do? "Maybe fight a Daniel Dubois, but for me once AJ fights Tyson Fury, he's kind of done it all. "I'd love him to have another crack at Daniel Dubois and I'd love him to have another crack at Usyk but you just keep going on and on and on. "Now, if we get to next year and he's still firing on all cylinders then 2026 won't be his last year. "But for me, something feels right about coming back this year, beating Tyson Fury twice and then sailing off into the sunset." 3 Deontay Wilder is still a contender to fight Joshua Credit: GETTY
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Celtic aiming to oust Euro giants for transfer of 21 y/o 'artist' as ex-Parkhead hero told 'find a new club'
Celtic have been linked with an in demand winger. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Celtic are hoping to beat off competition from a number of clubs on the continent to sign highly-rated youngster Sondre Ørjasæter this summer, with a new report claiming they have opened talks with Sarpsborg 08 over his transfer. The 21-year-old left-winger is believed to be a long term target for Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, with reports in January stating they had a saw a bid of £4.6million rejected by the Eliteserien outfit in January 2025. It is understood the Norwegian side are looking for a fee in the region of £7million to allow him to leave, though. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Linked with Fiorentina, Nice and Red Bull Salzburg, the Norway under-21 international will be in demand this summer after catching the eye of several European clubs over the last 12 months. Used as an inverted winger at the Sarpsborg Stadion, he is considered one of the country's most exciting young talents, with Norwegian TV pundit and former international striker Håvard Flo describing him as 'an artist.' Celtic are believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements. | AFP via Getty Images Ørjasæter agreed a new four-year-deal at Sarpsborg as recently as October, and seemed delighted to commit his future to the club, saying: 'I'm having a fantastic time. There's nothing to complain about. It's a great group, good coaches. I'm really enjoying myself at Sarpsborg 08.' However, a fresh report from Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claims that Celtic are hoping to prize the winger away from Sarpsborg this summer, saying the Scottish champions have 'reopened talks over a potential deal', adding that they will 'face competition from clubs in Germany and The Netherlands, but no concrete offers are on the table as things stand.' Elsewhere, Celtic's title winner former centre-back Kristoffer Ajer has been told to 'find a new club' by international head coach Stale Solbakken after falling out of favour at Brentford following an injury-hit campaign. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Norway international spent four trophy laden seasons at Celtic Park, winning four Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups, before he was prized away by the Bees for a fee of £13million in the summer of 2021. He has gone on to be a pivotal figure for Thomas Frank's side as they've established themselves in the top flight, but has found himself restricted to appearances in an unfamiliar position of right-back over the last 12 months, leading for calls from his international manager to switch clubs this summer. 'He can be a very good and stable centre-back, and he was today, but he has to change clubs," said Solbakken. 'He cannot play right-back in every third game if he is to be a proper, safe and good centre-back. Because he has all the prerequisites.' (Photo by) "I think Ajer would have been better suited to playing centre-back in another league. He has had some tough injuries in England. He will never be a super right-back, at the same level as he is as a centre-back. At the age he is now, I think he is allowed to put his foot down. You can't be a 'cover' right-back at his age now. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
