'Problems solved at suspended Rio anti-doping lab'

The problems that led the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to suspend an affiliated anti-doping lab here have already been solved, according to the Brazilian government.

At a press conference with the foreign media on Thursday, Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani said that the lab had found a failure in a test, solved it and communicated this issue to WADA.

"Since July 5, a WADA team has been visiting the lab. The problem that led the lab to be suspended has been identified and fully corrected," said Picciani. "We now expect WADA to re-open the lab before the Olympic Games as all the conditions have been met."

Picciani, however, did not provide the exact motive behind WADA banning the Brazilian Doping Control Lab, which was meant to play a major part in anti-doping checks during the Rio Olympics. The lab had re-opened on May 8 after a major overhaul to meet international anti-doping norms, reports Xinhua.

Should WADA reinstate it, the lab will work 24 hours a day during the Olympics, testing around 5,000 blood and urine samples, from August 5 to 21.

--IANS

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