IOC talks-up anti-doping integirty measures in Beijing

Rigorous doping testing has taken place in Beijing ensuring protection of the integirty of the Winter Olympics, the IOC said in a press release reporting from the 139th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Beijing.

IOC's confidence was based on reports and updates from key officials from the International Testing Agency ('ITA') and the World Anti-Doping Agency ('WADA') at the Session.

Pre and in-games testing outlined

Addressing the Session, the Chair of the ITA Foundation Board, Dr Valérie Fourneyron, provided a final overview of the pre-Games testing programme, which included establishing an ITA Beijing 2022 Pre-Games Expert Group that performed a systematic risk assessment on potential participating athletes from every sport. The ITA said they reached 95% testing rates of their pre-Games risk targets.

The IOC said that approximately 2,900 in- and out-of-competition urine and blood samples would be taken throughout competition in Beijing. During the Games, both the testing and the sanctioning components of the anti-doping system will be independent from the IOC, with the ITA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-doping Division handling these respectively.

WADA President Witold Bańka also promoted the anti-doping procedures in place in Beijing, including a new and less invasive testing method that could help catch potential cheats "dried blood spot analysis is an exciting development for anti-doping," he said.

Praise also for Tokyo Games

Mr Bańka also praised the work and findings of WADA's Independent Observer at the recently completed Tokyo Olympics, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“The conclusions from that report show that the anti-doping programme, as managed by the International Testing Agency on behalf of the IOC, was robust and comprehensive, and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards,” said Bańka.

Mr Bańka also said WADA will have an Independent Observer function in Beijing monitoring and reporting on anti-doping activities.

Despite IOC and WADA optimism about their anti-doping measures both in Tokyo and Beijing, more critical voices have raised concerns about the prospect of 'unclean' athletes competing in Beijing just as was the case in Tokyo.

The Beijing games commence with the Opening Ceremony Friday, whilst the sporting competition commences on Saturday.