Amidst news that the physical construction of several 2016 Olympic Games venues are behind schedule, as well as perpetual concerns over pollution and security, some good news came out of host Rio de Janeiro today. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced it has lifted the suspension of Rio’s drug-testing lab, clearing it for use at the 2016 Games.
According to WADA spokesman Ben Nichols, the organization’s decision was made after the specific laboratory “completed the required remedial work stipulated in the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).” The lab, based at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), lost its accreditation back in 2013 due to “repeated failures” in meeting the WADA standards. This forced officials to send samples from last year’s FIFA World Cup to Switzerland for analysis. However, the staff had been working during a probation period to ensure re-accredidation well ahead of the start of the Olympic Games. (insidethegames.biz)
After hearing the suspension was indeed lifted, the Brazilian sports ministry released a statement indicating “It’s important for Brazil, the first South American country to host the Olympics, to have a laboratory accredited by WADA. The recovery of accreditation is the result of considerable effort by the Federal Government and is part of the preparation of our country for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”