WADA suspends its drug-testing laboratory in Rio ahead of Olympics
The laboratory's accreditation was suspended because it did not conform with international standards.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has suspended the anti-doping laboratory that was set to handle drug testing during the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August. The decision was announced in a statement from WADA on Friday. WADA said the Brazilian Doping Control Laboratory's accreditation was suspended because of non-conformity with international standards. During the suspension, the laboratory cannot carry out any anti-doping analyses on urine and blood samples.
"WADA will work closely with the Rio Laboratory to resolve the identified issue,” said Olivier Niggli, Incoming Director General. “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."