Athletes warned about HGH tests

WADA to conduct tests before, during Olympics

BEIJING (AP) -- The new president of the World Anti-Doping Agency cautioned athletes who think they can get around the new tests for HGH that will be used at the Beijing Olympics.

WADA announced this month that tests for human growth hormone -- one of the more widely abused substances in sports -- will be administered before and during the Aug. 8-24 Olympics.

"There is this belief that you can manage it (HGH) out of your system very quickly," WADA president John Fahey said Wednesday. "I don't think any athletes who wish to cheat should put any faith in that statement any longer."

Fahey declined to say how many HGH tests would be carried out. Overall, the IOC and Beijing organizers have announced they will conduct 4,500 doping tests, the vast majority urine tests. HGH testing involves blood samples.