London 2012 Olympians used in ‘secret project to test experimental substance’

Ninety-one elite-level sports people across eight Olympic sports were used as “guinea pigs” in a secret UK Sport project trialling ketones in the run-up to London 2012, an investigation by the Mail on Sunday has claimed.

The report claimed that the athletes in question were allegedly given an energy-boosting drink branded ‘DeltaG’, despite the product only being available for use in research, and there being no guarantees at the time as to whether or not it would not breach anti-doping rules or that it was free of side-effects.

All athletes who agreed to use DeltaG were obliged to sign binding non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), preventing them from ever speaking about their involvement in the project.

The product, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring body acid called ketones, was originally developed by scientists at Oxford University who responded in 2003 to a $10m challenge laid down by the United States Army to create the most efficient fuel for US soldiers to take on to the battlefield.

A version of the product has since been approved by Wada. Two years ago HVMN, a San Francisco-based company, was granted a commercial licence to manufacture the world’s first ketone ester drink, HVMN Ketone. Its chief executive Geoff Woo told Telegraph Sport that seven teams would be drinking ketones as part of their nutrition strategy at the 2018 Tour, although none admitted to it.

It has long been known that ketones were being tested by UK Sport rowers and cyclists although it was never known in what quantity or for what aim. UK Sport never published anything about the trial.

A document obtained by the Mail on Sunday allegedly shows that the 91 athletes in the 2012 scheme used 135 doses of DeltaG in competitive events. The stated intent, they claim, was to use them in London 2012 build-up events and at the Games themselves.

A UK Sport spokesperson said: “As the nation’s high-performance sports agency, UK Sport invests in expert institutes who deliver research and innovation projects to support the success of our national sports teams. These projects range from designing world-class technical equipment for our athletes, to supporting athlete health and performance.

“These research and innovation projects are conducted in line with the highest ethical standards, within the rules of international sport and are assessed by an expert independent Research Advisory Group. Consultation takes place with UKAD and WADA wherever necessary to ensure projects comply with international anti-doping regulations.

‘The Ketone Ester project received independent ethical approval from the Research Advisory Group in January 2012. Additionally, UK Anti-Doping confirmed in writing, after seeking clarification from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), that WADA had “no reason to consider such substances as banned under the 2011 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods”.

“Any research funded by UK Sport investment includes a participant consent form to ensure it operates with full transparency with regards to any risks to participants, and also for the purpose of full disclosure. Participating athletes agree they have been provided with full details of the study and have had the opportunity to raise and discuss questions with a named researcher. Athletes are not put under pressure from UK Sport to take part in any research project or to provide their consent, and may withdraw at any time.”

Five-time Olympian Jo Pavey, who was not offered DeltaG, described the findings as “depressing”, saying the use of synthetic ketones was “a step too far” and “not in the spirit of competition”, quite apart from potentially being harmful.