Devis Licciardi had just competed in a 10K race in Molfetta, Puglia, a city by the Adriatic Sea in Italy. After the marathon, he was required to take a urine test to prove he didn't use any performance enhancing drugs, when the 27-year-old athlete, member of the Italian air force team, was allegedly caught trying to siphon off "clean" urine from a fake penis hidden in his underpants. As he prepared to take the test, he had reportedly told a doctor: "I'd like to be alone," but the doctor refused the request, saying that he needed to be in attendance, in accordance with anti-doping laws.
The Telegraph reported that the use of fake penises by dopers is actually fairly widespread: "Fake penises are readily available on the internet and even come in different colors to match users' skin color, including white, black and Latino." They continued, "One website offers 'life-like' prosthetic penises complete with packets of dehydrated, uncontaminated urine, which can be turned liquid with chemical heat packs." Even frequent users have shared their experience on the device's website. "A satisfied customer wrote on one website: 'I passed my drug test with ease and the person giving the test watched me pee. It is worth every penny.'"
This mechanism, apparently called "The Whizzinator," is a "discreet synthetic urine device that is safe for all types of fun scenarios," according to the Whizzinator's web page. They go on explaining their apparatus, "This disease-free synthetic urine device includes medical grade urine, ultra-quiet flow system, and is very easy to use." They include over 3 oz of toxin, and disease free premixed synthetic urine, two organic heat pads, easy to read temperature strip, 100 percent cotton detachable elastic belt plus a 60 ml syringe.
As for Licciardi, athletic officials immediately reported the incident to Italy's anti-doping authority, and if found guilty of the offense, he risks being disqualified for two years.
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