Bangkok--Dec 21--BAGOC
THE 13th Asian Games can be considered an exceptionally “clean” international sports event taking into account that only two athletes failed the doping tests, according to the Chairman, Medical Control Sub-Committee BAGOC.
“I cannot say whether it is the cleanest Games, because we have not conducted tests on every athlete but we think so. We did random tests for prohibited drugs on athletes as specified by each sport s federation,” Dr Ruangsak Siriphol said.
Some sport s federations require drug tests to be taken on medal winners of those with new Games records, while others require tests on only the gold medalist. “In this Asian Games, we have found the lowest level of drug use compared to other major sports events,” he said.
The number of tests through random sampling has exceeded the number previously reported. “Throughout the Games there have been over 700 tests done to date,” he added.
Dr Ruangsak said it is a good sign that athletes are refraining from using drugs and this confirmation was made through using the best equipment and technology in drugs testing. “It also means that the true potential of Asian athletes is the same as in any other region in the world,” he said.
Although the Games end tomorrow, the tests for possible doping will continue. There have been some major sports events where athletes were found to have used banned substances, and the medals were revoked after the event had finished,” he said.
For further information please contact Khun Santiparb Tejavanija or BAGOC PRESS OFFICE Tel : 564 3516 - 23 End.