British anti-doping authorities to issue biological passports

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In another effort to deter would-be cheaters, British anti-drug officials announced Friday they will provide its country’s athletes with biological passports during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

The passport program, which is similar to a system already used by the International Cycling Union, will allow scientists to better detect abnormalities or unusual readings in blood samples.

Typical drug tests compare substance levels in the blood to the average levels found in the general population. Under the new system, scientists can compare results with each individual athlete’s normal readings.

‘We believe that this will act as a powerful deterrent for the good of all healthy athletes and maintain the integrity of sport,’ said Professor David Cowan, Drug Control Center director at the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory at King’s College in London.

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.