France’s national anti-doping agency, the AFLD, announced the death of Jacques de Ceaurriz today. De Ceaurriz’ greatest achievement was helping to pioneer a test to detect the performance-boosting hormone EPO (erythyropoietin) in 2000. The detection of the substance was a pivotal moment in the fight against doping. He was 60-years-old.
World Anti-Doping Agency chiefs released a statement offering their condolences on Tuesday.
“The fight against doping in sport has lost one of its most eminent scientists,” read a statement from WADA chief John Fahey.
“Jacques De Ceaurriz was not only a skilled researcher, but also a man willing to share his scientific knowledge with the anti-doping community to help advance the greater cause of the fight against doping in sport.”