China anti-doping agency to resume testing halted by coronavirus

The China Anti-Doping Agency will resume testing this week after a temporary suspension due to the coronavirus epidemic, the World Anti-Doping Agency said.

In a statement from its Montreal headquarters, WADA said on Friday it had been "closely monitoring" the situation since CHINADA suspended testing in mainland China on February 3.

At the time, the Chinese agency said the move was made out of an abundance of caution "so as not to endanger athletes or test officials" as the country grappled with the deadly outbreak of the virus, known as COVID-19 -- with its epicenter in China's central Hubei province.

WADA said it had been advised by CHINADA that the agency would resume testing in China this week on a phased basis.

With the Tokyo Olympics less than six months away, priority will be given to testing elite level athletes "from higher-risk categories and sports," WADA said.

"The safety of athletes and sample collection personnel involved in the doping control process within China is the key priority," WADA said.

"This needs to be balanced with the importance of ensuring that Chinese athletes remain subject to a rigorous testing program for the duration of the coronavirus situation."
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