We have reduced dope tests to roughly 25 percent of earlier numbers due to COVID-19: NADA DG

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit India's dope testing programme big time with the national watchdog, facing various logistical problems, reducing the sample collection of athletes to just 25 percent of earlier numbers.

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director General Navin Agarwal, however, said that his organisation will be able to conduct enough number of tests on athletes who have qualified for the Olympics.

He said the NADA currently has insufficient number of dope sample collectors as most of them are government employees working at hospitals.

"We have reduced the number of dope samples by 75 per cent, that is, we are testing around 25 per cent of earlier number of samples. We are currently testing only those athletes who have a high risk (of doping) and those who have qualified for the Olympics," Agarwal told PTI on Saturday.

"Most of the DCOs (Dope Control Officers) are medical and paramedical personnel working at government hospitals. Under the prevailing situation, their priority is to be at the hospital and ready to treat affected patients.

"Moreover, there is logistical problem of transporting dope samples in the current situation."
The WADA also said if local conditions limit the scope of testing, the national bodies can "consider focusing their testing programme on targeted athletes from high risk sports and disciplines."