At the heart of suspicions, is carbon monoxide a new asset for runners’ performance?

Tadej Pogacar has confirmed that he uses carbon monoxide inhalation techniques. Although authorised, the use of this gas could improve the performance of riders, while posing risks to their health.

Still impressive at SuperDévoluy during the 17th stage, Tadej Pogacar seems for the moment untouchable in this 2024 Tour de France. Asked about the use of a carbon monoxide inhaler in his team, which could be used to improve his performances, the Slovenian confirmed its use, before justifying its operation: “It’s a device to test how your body reacts to altitude. You blow into a balloon for a minute for a test that you have to do every two weeks. I only did the first part, because for the second part, the girl who was supposed to do it never showed up.“

The current leader of the general classification then tried to reassure: “It’s not like we breathe exhaust fumes in cars every day.“The use of carbon monoxide in sport can be, depending on its use, a means of improving performance. Other teams have access to these methods, not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), such as Jonas Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease a bike or Israel-First Tech.

Although it is initially a method to measure blood volume, inhaling carbon monoxide induces hypoxia, i.e. a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood. The number of red blood cells then increases, improving performance for 100 to 120 days, particularly in high mountains.

The dangers of this gas, which we frequently inhale in our daily lives through car exhausts or cigarette smoke, are nevertheless well-known. Exposure to high concentrations is rapidly fatal.It’s obviously risky.warns Jacky Maillot, doctor of the Groupama-FDJ team.. A human body cannot inhale air containing 40 to 50% carbon monoxide. This can have deleterious effects, even pose fatal risks. Repeated exposure to carbon monoxide is harmful to neurons, with probable cerebral risks. Its use must be very supervised.“

“Investigations must be carried out by the competent authorities fairly quickly.asks Jacky Maillot. This is an artificial method, which is by definition unnatural. We cannot prevent teams from preparing at high altitude to induce hypoxia and create red blood cells. But we can avoid inhaling an artificial gas. I hope there will be regulations on this subject.”

“At the FDJ, we do not use the machine to test the impact of hypoxia on red blood cells“, assures the member of the medical staff of the French team, adding that “the equipment is too expensive“. Using this type of method also poses a problem in terms of fairness, as only teams with a very large budget can afford such equipment.