The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed that approximately 5,000 on-site tests competition samples for dope testing will be collected during the Tokyo Olympic Games, starting July 23. The decision was made during the 138th Session of the International Olympic Committee
For Tokyo 2020, both the testing and the sanctioning components of the anti-doping system will be independent of the IOC. The ITA report mentioned that the first phase of the Tokyo 2020 anti-doping program has been completed. It has an implementation rate of 80 percent for qualified athletes. These testing samples will also be stored for 10 years after the Olympics. And they can seek reanalysis of a sample at any time.
Key Points from the Pre-Games Testing programme for Tokyo 2020
1. Following the postponement of the Games, the ITA Pre-Games Expert Group re-calibrated its efforts in 2020 and reviewed all 33 participating sports and their athletes likely to compete in the Games.
2. In December 2020, more than six months before the Games, the group issued over 25,000 testing recommendations. This is the most extensive pre-Games anti-doping program ever implemented for an edition of the Olympic Games.
3. With the COVID-19 countermeasures in place, the ITA is ready to adapt out-of-competition testing during the games.
4. The ITA is preparing to conduct an increased number of out-of-competition tests spread out beyond the Village, and alternatively, some tests will be conducted in the athletes’ home countries before they leave for the games.
5. Despite restrictions still in place around the world, out-of-competition testing is now at a level higher than for the same period in 2019. While in-competition testing figures for May 2021 were also the highest in the past 15 months.