In Depth Feature: Tom Sietas and His Anti-Doping Challenge
Posted By Peter Scott on 27 September 2004
Photos by Tim Calver
Tom Sietas is not a happy freediver. I called him at his flat in Hamburg, Germany last week and asked him how the whole situation has affected his life and his relationships with friends, freedivers and fans.
“It is very difficult” Tom says. “Thanks to god, my family and my friends who stand by me. These are the only persons with whom I don’t feel the urge to explain myself over and over again. I mean even if I talk with people who know me for a bit and who believe me I don’t feel safe. What do they really think? Do they trust me one hundred percent? It’s very hard not being sure whether the person in front of you believes you or not.”
“All I want to do is relax and be myself. I am tired of dealing with everyone’s questions, that’s very hard to do.”
Here's what happened: On September 4, 2004, Tom Sietas received a letter from the WADA anti-doping laboratory saying that his urine sample from his June 11th static apnea World Record attempt (8'47") had tested positive for 1.1 nanograms per milliliter in urine (0.0000000011 g/ml) of metoprolol, a common beta-blocker also known as “Lopressor.” The letter informed him that he could choose to have his sample "B" tested at the laboratory of his choosing. Tom and some friends came up with the 500€ to have the sample tested at a local lab in Germany where Tom will be able to observe the test. The procedure began on September 16 and results should be available by October 1. Tom opted to have the sample "B" tested just in case there was a mistake or contamination of the sample, but he is not optimistic about the chances for a negative result, since it was taken at the same time as sample “A.”
Tom has considered the few possible reasons for the positive test. He has ruled out medication he might have taken, citing only two aspirin in the six months preceding the record. He wonders about a possible human error with the test in the laboratory. Then there's a flatmate of his who has had a prescription for metoprolol, which Tom recognizes as an unfortunate coincidence. Nonetheless, Tom believes that the chance of accidental contamination is unlikely. Tom has considered the idea that someone might have spiked his water bottle. But since it is impossible to prove and discouraging to think about, he won't pursue it any further.
Tom is checking into one other possibility. In Germany, there have been studies to show that the ground water in certain cities and towns are contaminated with metoprolol and several other drugs with similar trace concentrations as was found in his urine sample. Tom drank three litres of water to help produce a sample for the anti-doping test. He wonders if perhaps the water ran right through him and whether contamination could account for the positive result. Unfortunately, it is expensive to have the water tested at the pool where he set his record. At the time of writing this article, Tom Sietas is still considering his options.
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