With 42 days before the start of the Olympics, the World Anti-Doping Agency has suspended the accreditation of the Rio laboratory, it announced on Friday.
The suspension went into effect on Wednesday, when the Brazilian Doping Control Laboratory was prohibited from carrying out anti-doping tests on blood and urine samples.
As part of an effort to enforce compliance with the WADA code, the agency has suspended the accreditation of several laboratories this year. That includes one in Madrid earlier this month, as well as labs in Beijing and Lisbon in April.
Suspension of the Rio lab, which is due to “non-conformity” with international standards, comes just six weeks before opening ceremonies on Aug. 5.
Incoming director general Olivier Niggli said in a statement that WADA would work with the lab to resolve the issue.
“The Agency will ensure that, for the time being, samples that would have been intended for the Laboratory, will be transported securely, promptly and with a demonstrable chain of custody to another WADA-accredited laboratory worldwide,” Niggli said. “This will ensure that there are no gaps in the anti-doping sample analysis procedures; and that, the integrity of the samples is fully maintained.”
A disciplinary committee will be formed to review the case, and the lab will remain suspended for six months or until the WADA executive committee or its chairman receives recommendations from the committee that the lab be re-accredited sooner.
“Athletes can have confidence that the suspension will only be lifted by WADA when the Laboratory is operating optimally; and that, the best solution will be put in place to ensure that sample analysis for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games is robust,” Niggli said.
