IAAF anti-doping programme concludes in Beijing

Sunday 30 August represented the final session of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015, and the finalisation of the extensive anti-doping programme put in place by the IAAF which included both sample collection and education activities.

The doping control programme implemented by the IAAF in Beijing was the largest implemented in a single sporting event BY ANY SPORT since the IAAF World Championships in Moscow two years ago.

A total of 1405 doping controls were carried out in Beijing which included the following breakdown of tests and analysis:

- 662 blood tests for screening purposes in the context of the Athlete Biological Passport, all carried out at the athletes’ hotels prior to the event

- 161 blood tests for the detection of Human Growth Hormone and Erythropoiesis stimulating agents

- 54 urine tests conducted out-of-competition

- 528 urine tests conducted at the stadium, 239 of which will be specifically analysed for EPO and related substances.

As forecast by the IAAF prior to the championships, the programme was highly targeted in nature. Thousands of samples were collected out-of-competition in the lead-up to the event, and the IAAF then implemented an intelligence-led programme in Beijing which will see the samples frozen and stored for future re-analysis as science and technology progresses.

Such a large testing programme could only have been implemented with the assistance and support of local partners in China. The IAAF would like to thank and acknowledge the Chinese National Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA). The CHINADA staff and a team of volunteers successfully and professionally managed the sample collection process pre-competition at three separate athlete hotels, as well as the main stadium itself.

The WADA-accredited laboratory in Beijing managed the sample analysis process efficiently and effectively, providing accurate and quick reporting to the IAAF anti-doping staff on site. As of 1 September, the Beijing laboratory has notified the IAAF of two positives tests, both of which have been publicly released by the IAAF:

Koki Manunga (KEN)

Joyce Zakary (KEN)

Should any of the remaining samples be reported as positive, the IAAF will make a public announcement when the rules allow.

In addition to the doping control programme, the IAAF also continued the athlete outreach programme at all three athlete hotels. Again the assistance of CHINADA was invaluable to the successful programme, with their enthusiastic staff on site each day to provide advice and assistance to the hundreds of athletes and support personnel that visited. The outreach teams presented the WADA quiz, educational resources from CHINDA and the IAAF, as well as being on hand to discuss anti-doping issues and answer questions.

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