Rio anti-doping lab suspension lifted

Brasilia: Rio’s drug testing laboratory had its
suspension lifted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), clearing it to operate
at the Olympics that start on August 5.

The doping control laboratory was suspended on
June 22 due to non-conformity with the International Standard for Laboratories.

The confirmation of the laboratory as an
institution responsible for the anti-doping tests during the Olympics and
Paralympics at Rio 2016 reinforces the confidence of the Brazil sports ministry
and Brazilian anti-doping agency in the work carried out by the Rio anti-doping
lab (LBCD), said the Brazil sports ministry in a statement yesterday.

WADA’s all-clear was signed by Craig Reedie,
the president of the WADA executive committee... and the decision takes
immediate effect, added the Brazil ministry.

WADA said the reinstatement means Rio
officials can resume testing blood and urine samples this week and that they
see no need for further action against the lab.

WADA is very pleased to announce that the Rio
laboratory’s accreditation has been reinstated, said WADA director general
Olivier Niggli in a statement.

“All parties worked diligently to
resolve the identified issue so that the laboratory could be up and running
optimally for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

Athletes can be confident that anti-doping
sample analysis has been robust throughout the laboratory’s suspension and that
it will also be during the Games.

Around 7,000 samples will be tested by the Rio
lab during the Olympic period.A week after the laboratory was suspended in
June, Brazil sacked the head of its anti-doping body.

Marco Aurelio Klein was replaced at the head
of the Brazilian agency by former Brazilian Olympic judo champion Rogerio
Sampaio.

The agency denied that Klein’s departure was
linked to the suspension of its Rio laboratory, saying the switch is instead
due to a change of government amid an impeachment trial against President Dilma
Rousseff.

(AFP)