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IAAF plans biggest anti-doping program at worlds

Posted on: Thursday, 28 July 2005, 17:30 CDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Next month's world championships in Helsinki will be subject to the biggest anti-doping program conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the sport's governing body said Thursday.

More than 850 tests will be carried out at the 10th world championships in Helsinki between August 6-14.

Virtually one in every two athletes will be tested during the competition, the IAAF said in a statement.

Approximately 350 competitors will be blood screened as they enter the athlete's village and nearly 500 tests will be carried out during the event.

About 100 blood tests will also be carried out during the championships for the detection of blood transfusion, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCS) and other substances. HBOCS have been named by many experts as possible performance boosters.

"The IAAF is determined to ensure that these championships highlight our on-going, aggressive commitment to the war on doping," said president Lamine Diack.

"In Paris, at the last edition of the world championships, 405 doping tests were carried out.

"In Helsinki, in co-operation with the Finnish Anti-Doping Agency, we plan to have the most ambitious and comprehensive system of testing ever activated at a world championships.

"We have increased the testing before, during and after the competition and we will also focus our efforts on education," added Diack.

Source: REUTERS

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