LONDON — Every British athlete heading to the Beijing Olympics will be tested for drugs at least once before the games.
UK Sport announced plans Wednesday for the country's most comprehensive pre-Olympic testing program, with more than 1,500 tests set to be administered to athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The program started Jan. 1 and will run until the opening of the Olympic Village in Beijing on July 27, 12 days before the opening ceremony.
From July 27, the World Anti-Doping Agency will supervise tests on all athletes in conjunction with the Chinese organizing committee. About 4,500 doping tests will be carried out during the Aug. 8-24 games in line with the International Olympic Committee's zero-tolerance policy.
"Obviously, those in high-risk sports or disciplines can and will be tested more often," said John Scott, director of drug-free sport for Britain's national anti-doping organization. "There is no limit to the number of times we might test an individual athlete."
