Olympic drug testing lab loses accreditation just before Games
The World Anti-Doping Agency has suspended its accreditation of the Rio de Janeiro laboratory responsible for analyzing athlete samples during the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The suspension -- the latest in a series of snafus for the upcoming Games -- was announced Friday, less than two months before the opening ceremony.
Anti-doping officials expressed concern that operations at the lab have not met international standards. All samples will now be securely transported to WADA-approved labs in other locations.
“This will ensure that there are no gaps in the anti-doping sample analysis procedures; and that, the integrity of the samples is fully maintained,†Olivier Niggli, the incoming director-general for WADA, said in a statement. “Athletes can have confidence that the suspension will only be lifted by WADA when the laboratory is operating optimally.â€
Rio officials have 21 days to appeal the decision. WADA has vowed to assist in bringing the lab up to code.
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