Independent drug testing first for Games
Jul 9, 2017 - 10:00 PM The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea will be the first Games to have an independent drug testing authority.The International Olympic Committee made the announcement in Switzerland on Sunday, saying it has been working towards setting up the ITA as an independent testing body to take over testing for the IOC and international federations.
"We will assist it but (testing) in Pyeongchang will be under the authority of the ITA," IOC medical chief Richard Budgett told reporters.
"It will be there in Pyeongchang, even if in a preliminary form.
"Responsibility will be passed to the ITA. The resources of the IOC will be there at their disposal."
Until the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, the IOC was responsible for doping tests during the Olympics.
Budgett said the ITA would not be in a position to take over testing from an international federation by February next year, but it would be able to operate in Pyeongchang and would decide who to test, when and for what substances.
The IOC is desperate to boost the fight against doping with Russian track and field athletes banned from last year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics due to a widespread state-backed doping system that involved many sports in the country.
More than 100 positive cases have also emerged in re-testing samples from the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics, while the IOC is also re-testing samples from the Sochi 2014 winter Games in Russia and the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics.
Budgett said the IOC would be financially supporting the ITA for the first few years but was confident the new organisation would be able to operate independently after that by charging international federations for their services.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- IOC president Bach defends Russia decision Dec 31
- 'Cowardly' Russia call keeps doping alive Dec 27
- Pullin in form as Winter Games edge closer Dec 22
- IOC bans 11 more Russians for doping Dec 22
- Graham adds China moguls bronze to silver Dec 22
- Tokyo Olympics down $420m, more cuts eyed Dec 22
- Injured Brockhoff won't rule out Olympics Dec 21
- Aussie Matt Graham second in moguls event Dec 21
- Russian link rules out Swedish Games coach Dec 20
- AOC restructured after bullying claims Dec 17
- Aussie winter athletes win two events Dec 16
- FBI controls doping whistleblower: Putin Dec 14