Moscow: China has advised its athletes against eating meat before the 2012 London Olympics as it may contain the banned substance clenbuterol, Russian anti-doping agency Rusada said Wednesday.
Clenbuterol is fed to livestock to bulk them up and keep the meat lean, but the substance is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
There were a number of cases involving the performance-enhancing substances that resulted in disqualification of athlete following drug tests.
Chinese authorities have recommended that athletes not eat veal, lamb and pork, but stick to fish and chicken and dine only in recommended places.
WADA Director General David Howman has advised athletes against eating meat in China and Mexico, where reports of contaminated meat originated.
"We have collected sufficient evidence to demonstrate that in some countries there is a risk of eating meat that might be contaminated so we say to athletes that they should be sensible and cautious about where they eat," he said.
Two years ago, the International Judo Federation banned Chinese Olympic champion Tong Wen for two years after traces of clenbuterol were discovered in her blood. She was forced to give back the gold medal she won at the 2009 World Championships. (IANS/RIA Novosti)
