There are fears that those who regularly use the pure oxygen technique as part of their rehabilitation programme are extending the usage of oxygen tents well outside the injury realm.

Under present WADA regulations any technique designed to artificially increase the performance levels of individuals through the use of pure oxygen comes into the category of illegal enhancement.

But, although the illegal exploitation of oxygen tent type programmes is on a par, as far as WADA is concerned, with drug and other stimulant abuse, it is recognised as particularly hard to police.

However, the proposed new WADA testing procedures will include a much more rigorous analysis of haemoglobin levels in athletes.