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Athletes from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Portugal, will face extra out-of-competition (OOC) drug testing before they will be eligible for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The increased effort was announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Monday.
“The four federations received clear warnings from the AIU about the insufficiency of their national testing programs after the World Athletics Championships 2022 in Eugene,” an AIU statement read. “All four failed to ensure that there was proportionate OOC testing for their teams at the following World Athletics Championships in Budapest 2023.”
Athletes from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Portugal will face tougher testing ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) March 11, 2024
Details here: https://t.co/wiusqmC4AD pic.twitter.com/wGcmf78q8f
As a result, their athletes will undergo at least three no-notice OOC tests, The tests will be conducted at least three weeks apart before July 4.
“We are pleased with the council’s decision to support the AIU recommendations. This action is tough but necessary as we did not receive an adequate response from these federations to clear warnings we gave in the lead-up to the World Athletics Championships last year.” said David Howman, chairman of the AIU.
“In this Olympic year, we trust this will be a reminder to all member federations that the AIU and World Athletics are extremely serious about ensuring a level playing field for athletes,” Howman added.
