Athletes show concern over doping controls standstill
|Published
FILE - An employee of Russia's national drug-testing laboratory holds a vial in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP FILE - An employee of Russia's national drug-testing laboratory holds a vial in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
BERLIN – Most athletes in a survey believe competitions this
year could be unfair due to the lower number of doping tests due to the
coronavirus crisis.
In a poll by the independent track and field organisation, The
Athletics Association, 78 percent of the athletes who took part said
they were concerned about the validity of results this season.
A total of 685 athletes from 82 countries took part in the survey.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, doping controls have come to a
standstill almost worldwide.
Eighty-two percent of athletes surveyed said they continued to
train, and 86 percent said they would be willing to take part in
competitions again later this year.
Athletes also showed concern about qualifications for the Olympic
Games in Tokyo, now moved to 2021.
Qualification has been suspended until November 30, but 60 percent
of those polled feared it could lead to injustice if some athletes
can start again from December 1 while others still suffer from
restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.