Sochi Olympics to see 2,500 doping tests

Moscow, May 24 (IANS): Sochi Olympics organisers have said 2,500 doping tests would be conducted at the Winter Games next February, surpassing the total at the Vancouver Games four years ago.

Alexei Slautin, the head of the Sochi 2014 doping control committee, told the Sports Ministry’s website Thursday that 13 doping control sites will operate during the Games, with 10 stationed at various venues and three in the Olympic village.

According to the International Olympic Committee, 2,149 doping tests were performed in Vancouver.

Slautin also said 600 tests will be carried out at the Sochi Paralympics.

Last month, Russia’s sports ministry said 570 trained “specialists” will collect blood and urine samples at the Sochi Games. In Vancouver, by comparison, there were 500 doping personnel.

The first Winter Olympics in Russia take place Feb 7-23, 2014.