IOC to Conduct Additional Doping Tests on Samples Retained from Beijing Olympics

In light of intelligence gathered from recent positive doping cases, as well as pervasive accusations pointed at several sporting federations within multiple-offender countries, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) has announced plans to re-test hundreds of doping samples still in their possession from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  (AP)

Citing being equipped with more effective testing methods, such as “long-term metabolite” methods and heightened EPO-sensitive tests, than those that were available at the time, IOC Medical Director Richard Budgett indicated to the Associated Press that a “significant number of samples will be reanalyzed in the coming months from athletes who could compete in next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.”

Under the new World Anti-Doping Code, the statute of limitations on positive doping results has been extended from 8 to 10 years, meaning that Beijing samples could potentially be tested through 2018.  Budgett expressed, “even if it’s five or 10 years later, it’s really an important thing to do.”

Additionally, Budgett told the AP that “The countries where doping is prevalent and particularly where we know now that doping was prevalent, say back in 2008, that will be taken into account.”  Last December, German TV program “Das Erste” ran a documentary alleging a far-reaching doping program run within Russia, which spurred on investigation by the World-Anti-Doping Agencyd (WADA).  Russian Vitaly Melnikov is the most recent Russian swimmer to have failed a drug test, stemming from a positive result from the 2013 Short Course European Championships.

It remains to be seen what, if any, impact this additional testing will have upon athletes across multiple sports vying for their spots on their respective countries’ Olympic rosters for 2016.