27 Oct 2016

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) welcomes the report of the Independent Observers (IO) at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 which was published on Thursday by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“The IO report shows that it was a successful Olympic Games with a successful anti-doping programme. The integrity of the programme was ensured despite some challenges the Organising Committee had to overcome. I would like to thank all the involved experts, staff and volunteers”, Dr Richard Budgett, the IOC’s Medical and Scientific Director, emphasised. 

Compared to past editions of the Olympic Games, the anti-doping programme in Rio de Janeiro was improved in a number of areas, such as:

• Intelligence-led out-of-competition testing
• Analysis of NADOs’ and IFs’ pre-Games anti-doping programmes
  
  • o Funded by the IOC
  • o Organised by WADA to improve pre-Games testing by IFs and NADOs
• Pre-Games testing
• On-site expertise to decide very quickly on extra tests and analyses
• Security at the laboratory and use of new more secure sample bottles
• Independent case management through CAS.

However, the anti-doping programme in Rio de Janeiro had to overcome some challenges too, such as a lack of resources and trained volunteers/staff. This was managed successfully thanks to the dedication and expertise of Rio 2016 and international staff and volunteers.

The integrity of the anti-doping system put in place in Rio de Janeiro at doping control stations, venues and the laboratory was assured by:

• WADA accreditation
• The WADA IO programme
• The IOC Medical & Scientific Commission Games Group
• International experts.

Receiving the report, Dr Budgett said: “The IO recommendations for future Olympic Games will be carefully studied and considered by the IOC and passed on to the new independent testing authority (ITA), which is planned to be in place before the next Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.” 

The ITA created by WADA will:

• take over all planning and delivery of doping control at future Olympic Games;
• be important in improving the quality of testing throughout the four years of an Olympiad and not just immediately before and during the Games; and
• ensure consistently effective intelligent testing using whereabouts, issuing TUEs and taking over case management.

“The IOC looks forward to working with International Federations, National Anti-Doping Organisations and National Olympic Committees to ensure that organisers of future Olympic Games and the ITA deliver harmonised but sport-specific anti-doping programmes at future Olympic Games,” Dr Budgett concluded.