From Inside the Games
Logistical arrangements made by Rio 2016 to support the samples collection process have been strongly criticised in a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Observers report released today.
Testing within specific sports is also highlighted as a concern in the 55-page report..
No out-of-competition testing was conducted in football, while there was “little or no” in-competition blood testing in many high risk sports and disciplines, including weightlifting.
A number of “serious failings” were highlighted in relation to the work of the Organising Committee, “some of which” were within Rio 2016’s control.
This included a loss of service due to budget cutbacks as well as “tensions” between organisers and the Brazilian Anti-Doping Agency (ABCD).
Management and staffing changes in the year before the Games was also highlighted as a problem.
A “lack of coordination or unified approach among the management team in the Rio 2016 anti-doping department during the Games itself” was another.
Problems this caused included a lack of “knowledge transfer” from previous Games, a lack of adequate training for staff and a lack of whereabouts information to find athletes during the Games.
Poor accommodation, shift-patterns and food arrangement for laboratory staff was another issue highlighted, all of which “disincentived chaperones to report for shifts and/or to stay for the duration”.
One worker reportedly had to move hotels five times during the Games.
This all led to significant problems testing in the Athletes’ Village, where daily targets for Out-of-Competition testing were “rarely met” and were often “only 50 per cent or less” of planned figures.
