WADA President says anti-doping steps at PyeongChang Games going well
PyeongChang, Feb 15 (IANS) President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Craig Reedie on Thursday said he was happy with the anti-doping programme at the ongoing PyeongChang Winter Games in South Korea.
“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) wishes the athletes taking part to go through strong anti-doping programme, so WADA and other international organisations have done 17,000 pre-Games tests, which is more than I can remember. That’s important for the anti-doping programme here,” Reedie told Xinhua news agency.
“From WADA’s point of view, we have 18 independent observers here, we have been looking at what’s happening. We think it’s running well and the organization is efficient here in PyeongChang. At the moment, we are quite happy. But there’s half of the Games to go, so the anti-doping is very important in PyeongChang.”
Japanese short track speedskater Kei Saito has tested positive in the first doping case of the PyeongChang Games. Saito has tested positive for acetazolamide, a diuretic, in an out-of-competition check.
“There are 3,000 athletes, and so far one doping case. All we know is that the IOC removed the athlete’s accreditation and he is no longer at the Games. I had a long discussion with Japanese officials. They are very concerned. But if you make mistakes, you have to accept the penalties, some penalties are more severe. from my point of view, I hope there’s only one case.”