From Inside the Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to lead an anti-doping taskforce in the run-up to the Rio 2016 Olympics in August.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) will serve as the secretariat of the body, which will aim to ensure a co-ordinated effort between all countries ahead of the Games in Brazil.
A primary objective is to identify potential testing gaps around the world in all Olympic sports, with the taskforce due to work with all relevant National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs).
The news comes at a time when doping scandals are embroiling sport, including Russia’s suspension by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and a spate of drug test failures for newly banned heart attack drug meldonium.
UKAD’s appointment has been announced by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which will manage the taskforce under the IOC’s leadership.
“This is an important step forward for global sport and the protection of clean athletes,” said UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead.
