Norwegian athlete Henriette Jaeger runs around a bend in the 400 meters race on an indoor track behind her opponent.Reuters – The organization responsible for training the country’s elite athletes has advised Norwegian athletes not to eat any type of meat while competing in China over fears it could lead to a positive drug test.

Olympiatoppen, part of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said eating meat could lead to accidental ingestion of banned substances, posing a small but real risk of testing positive.

The 2025 World Athletics Relays will be held at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou in early May, while the Diamond League event in Shanghai is scheduled for May 3, where several Norwegian athletes are scheduled to compete.

“Studies have shown that athletes have unknowingly ingested clenbuterol when eating meat in China, as some animals are given hormones to promote growth.”

“If a meat-based meal is consumed before a doping test, the athlete may test positive,” Olympiatopen said in its guidelines, Reuters reported.

“Therefore, Olympiatopen advises athletes to avoid all types of meat while in China.”

Reuters has contacted World Athletics, the governing body for sports, and the Chinese Athletics Association for comment.

Norwegian Henriette Jaeger, bronze medalist in the 400m at this year’s World Athletics Indoor Championships and soon to compete in China, confirmed that she is following the guidelines did.

“I really enjoy eating meat, and it’s very good for the body when you’re competing.” “But you have to listen to the professionals and trust them,” she told Norwegian state broadcaster NRK.

Fellow athlete Josefin Tomine Eriksson also takes the advice seriously.

“I don’t want to be a ‘vegetarian’, (vegetarian) but you need some protein, so I’ll bring some protein bars from Norway. Maybe the beef is a bit of a mess.”

Olympiatoppen generally warned against poor food hygiene and recommended eating in high-quality restaurants and hotels while in China.