Problems with Dutch antidoping program

There were only 40 tests carried out for EPO in the Netherlands in 2006, according to telesport.nl, a number which Rabobank manager Theo de Rooij called "absurdly low."

In comparison, around 700 EPO controls were carried out in the Flanders region of Belgium, and Team CSC has already carried out more than 350 EPO tests on its 28 riders so far this year.

The Dutch Olympic Committee and the Dutch sports federation NOC*NSF are planning to meet with the Dutch antidoping authorities to clarify the situation.

Herman Ram, who is responsible for the doping controls, said that it was a matter of finances. "An EPO control is just as expensive as a complete screening," he said, and noted that they preferred to do complete screenings on as many athletes as possible.

In addition, a television documentary scheduled to be shown Monday night concerning out-of-competition controls, claims that athletes were informed beforehand of the tests Three athletes -- a rower, a runner and a shooter -- are quoted as saying that they were aware of the tests several weeks in advance.

According to the article, this violates WADA policies, which require that athletes receive not more than two hours' advance notice of such tests.