Montreal (AFP)
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Friday that it will closely monitor anti-doping activity in the areas most affected by the epidemic of new coronavirus, in order to detect "any + lacuna + possible in the controls".
The Montreal-based agency asked anti-doping organizations (ADOs) to give "priority to health and safety while protecting the integrity of doping control programs around the world", as it approaches of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games planned for this summer, according to a press release.
"WADA continues to closely monitor developments in the Covid-19 situation, and in particular how the virus may affect doping control activities," said its director general, Olivier Niggli.
"To this end, WADA urges all ADOs to follow the advice of local health authorities in order to ensure the protection of athletes and doping control personnel, while protecting the integrity of the programs. control, especially in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, "he added.
The Agency specifies that in the event of "reduction of controls", or even lack thereof, among athletes from a high-risk region, "this information will be relayed to both the International Olympic Committee and the Committee Paralympic International and any other anti-doping organization organizing a major event planned for the coming months. "
Last week, WADA announced the cancellation of its annual symposium in Lausanne in March after Switzerland, worried about the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, banned all major events on its territory.
92 countries are affected by Covid-19, an unprecedented virus that is disrupting everyday life on the planet: 100,842 cases have been identified and 3,456 people have died, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources Friday around 5:00 p.m. GMT.
Besides China, the most affected countries are South Korea (6,284 cases including 196 new, 42 deaths), Iran (4,747 cases including 1,234 new, 124 deaths), Italy (4,636 cases including 778 new, 197 death) then France (577 cases including 200 new, nine deaths).
© 2020 AFP