Report: Doping at Olympics likely

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Doubts have been expressed about the ability of international anti-doping authorities to stop the use of human growth hormone at the 2008 Summer Games.

The Washington Post reported Friday that tens of millions of dollars have been spent in research over the last decade but anti-doping officials said the blood test for HGH has significant shortcomings, isn't available for widespread implementation and a urine test for the substance has yet to be developed.

"It's not at the stage where we would say it is state-of-the-art," David Howman, director of the World Anti-Doping Agency, told the Post.

A recent report on the use of performance-enhancing substances in major league baseball said more than 50 of the 92 players mentioned acknowledged either using HGH or were alleged to have purchased it, but many switched from steroids to HGH after baseball started a drug-testing program in 2003.

Officials said only surprise tests administered between international competitions would be effective.