Topic: News: WADA chief praises pre-Olympic testing

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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WADA chief praises pre-Olympic testing

MONTREAL -- The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency praised pre-Olympic drug testing programs that prevented a number of drug cheats from competing in Beijing.

WADA president John Fahey mentioned the United States by name as one of 20 nations that subjected its athletes to thorough tests before sending them to China.

"I think that in itself was very effective, and I do believe that the deterrent factor in the context of cheats wanting to take the risk was a very strong message that was out there," Fahey said following WADA's executive board meeting Saturday. "If you go back to those months leading up to the games a number of nations had a very vigorous program at home, and the USA was one, I know."

On the eve of the Olympics, IOC president Jacques Rogge estimated that there would be 30 to 40 positive drug tests in Beijing. As it turned out, there were only eight positive results during the games.

Fahey pointed out that many drug cheats were exposed before they even left their own country.

"I'm not sure if the numbers have been released on those few months but I can assure you that it was quite a large number," Fahey said. "It was 11 in Russia, almost the entire Greek weightlifting team, and so on and so forth. Those numbers were significant. I think that was a message that continued to resonate and I hope and believe that it served as a deterrent factor to those who believed that they could hop on the plane, get there and get away with it."

WADA's executive committee approved the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods for 2009. The list will be published online by Oct. 1 and will go into effect Jan. 1.

"The fight against doping is a 24-7-365 responsibility," Fahey said. "I am pleased that despite significant progress in the fight against doping in the past few years and months, stakeholders recognize the need to take further measures to protect the health of athletes and the integrity of sport worldwide."

The executive committee also approved the accreditation of a new laboratory in New Delhi, India, making it the 34th WADA accredited lab.