Surprise dope testing for CWG athletes

New Delhi: In its bid to make the Commonwealth Games a dope-free event, the organisers today

said participating athletes will be subjected to surprise dope testing to deter them from taking banned drugs. Organising Committee said in a statement that the participating athletes from 71 Commonwealth countries will be subjected to unannounced doping control tests, anytime and anywhere during the period of the Games. The programme, supported by the Commonwealth Games Federation, will act as a blend of deterrence, detection and education, the statement said. The CGF has approved a test distribution plan of 1500 doping control tests -- the highest ever in any Commonwealth Games. The tests will comprise of urine, blood and breathe analysis, it said. The Organising Committee has set up doping control facilities at all competition venues and training venues at par with the international standards. These facilities will be used solely for doping control purposes after the end of the Games. The OC, through its Doping Control Division, has trained more than 450 doping control officials for the Games. The selection and the training of these officials have been conducted in accordance with International Standards of World Anti-doping Agency (WADA). They have been selected from many streams including doctors, sports medicine experts, physiotherapists, and science graduates. "Having internationally qualified DCOs and international standards of testing will be a great advantage for the country," said Dr Munish Chander, Deputy Director General (Doping Control) of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee. "So far, about 50 professionally-trained DCOs used to do this job in India, but the Delhi Commonwealth Games is a very big event and we will have sufficient number of officials to ensure doping free games.” "The OC and CGF shall certify and accredit these officials and leave a legacy for the country to use the services of these officials even after the end of the games," Chander added. The OC in collaboration with WADA will also organise anti-doping Athlete Outreach programme at the Commonwealth Games Village to educate the athletes and entourage. PTI