China conducting Olympic standard doping tests for Asiad

BEIJING - A number of doping tests would be conducted at the Beijing anti-doping lab “according to Olympic standards,” for the up-coming Asiad, according to a Chinese anti-doping official.

Xinhua quoted China Anti-Doping Agency deputy head Zhao Jian, as saying that the Olympic Council of Asia planned about 1500 urine tests and probably more than 200 blood tests at the Asian Games, which is expected to attract nearly 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions during November 12-27.

“The tests will be carried out according to Olympic standards. The negative reports return in 24 hours and for the positive ones, 48 hours,” Zhao said.

Testing started on Saturday in the Athletes Village and each morning a flight would carry the samples to the Beijing lab where about 5000 tests were done during the Beijing Olympic Games, the report said.

The China Anti-doping Agency fielded 81 doping test officials, most of them serving the Beijing Olympics, to the Asian Games as well as 11 international officials recommended by the OCA.

The organizers also reportedly recruited 600 escorts and volunteers into the anti-doping force. (ANI)