In the first stage of cooperation, 15 top Team Estonia athletes and their support teams joined the SYNLAB and EOC testing program, representing both winter and summer sports: swimmers Kregor Zirk and Ralf Tribuntsov; decathletes Johannes Erm and Rasmus Roosleht; rowers Kaarel Kiiver and Christopher Hein; wrestler Viktoria Vesso; judoka Emma-Melis Aktas; fencers Julia Beljajeva and Julia Trynova; cross-country skiers Kaidy Kaasiku, Keidy Kaasiku, Mariel Merlii Pulles and Martin Himma; and alpine skier Tormis Laine.
According to Estonian Olympic Committee Secretary General Kristo Tohver, participation in the program required a high athletic level and a support system capable of consistently assisting the athlete throughout their journey. “Additionally, we expected athletes and coaches to be interested in analyzing health and training data and using that information to adjust training plans. Our athletes now have access to a valuable, evidence-based tool that supports their progress,” Tohver explained.
Inspired by the Hungarian Olympic Team
SYNLAB Hungary’s Head of Prevention and Sports Diagnostics, Dr. Mate Szasz, emphasized that evaluating athletic performance requires more than training plans and subjective self-assessment.
“Laboratory analysis data allow us to see more precisely where the optimal limits of an athlete’s body lie. When training volume increases, performance generally improves — but if the body’s tolerance threshold is exceeded, performance can start to decline. Laboratory data help identify the balance point where the window between improvement and decline is very narrow,” said Dr. Szasz.
He added that analysis results make it possible to respond to changes, monitor progress, and draw conclusions that inform decisions about both training and recovery. “It’s important to understand that every athlete requires individually tailored solutions,” Szasz noted.
Dr. Raave-Sepp pointed out that following Hungary’s positive example, the Estonian program also focuses on consistent monitoring and interpretation of test results together with an expert team that includes SYNLAB laboratory physicians, Sports Medicine Foundation doctors, and nutrition specialists.
Systematic health data tracking through collaboration between the expert team, the athlete, and the coach — along with data-based comparisons of training activities — helps athletes make more informed choices regarding nutrition, training, and rest, and supports the structured development of training plans.
“Science Working for Athletes”
Estonian swimmer Kregor Zirk, who has already completed his first baseline analysis, said that for him, the greatest value of joining the program lies in applying scientific progress to benefit athletes.
“I’ve always been interested in testing new methods. These procedures don’t cost you much effort, so there’s really nothing to lose. Considering Hungary’s past success with this program, it was an easy decision to participate,” said Zirk, who placed seventh in the 200m butterfly at the Paris Olympic Games.
European decathlon champion Johannes Erm, who gave his sample today, agreed. “The tests are done! I’m excited because this program can truly benefit athletes — we’ll gain a better understanding of our health, recovery, and potential risks,” Erm said.
65 Different Analyses
The initial baseline panel includes 65 blood and urine analyses, providing a comprehensive overview of various indicators that affect both metabolism and performance.
“For example, we analyze vitamin and mineral levels, inflammation markers, muscle damage and overload indicators, bone metabolism markers, hydration levels, and much more,” described Dr. Raave-Sepp, highlighting parameters that help guide training decisions.
During October, all 15 athletes will undergo the first baseline panel, followed by interpretation of results by the expert team.
“The next, smaller control panel and any additional individual analyses will take place after 2–3 months, followed again by interpretation and conclusions — and this cycle will continue roughly every three months,” Dr. Raave-Sepp explained.