It is a worrying decision, six months before the opening of the Toyko Olympics. The Chinese anti-doping agency Chinada has decided to suspend "temporarily" its control activities "for the sake of health protection" due to the epidemic of coronavirus, we learned Monday, February 3 from the Agency of international control (ITA).

The Chinese anti-doping agency "will gradually resume its control activities as soon as the situation improves," ITA, based in Lausanne, told AFP.

Chinada "confirmed on February 3, 2020 that for the sake of health protection and in view of the international emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), (s) es control activities are temporarily suspended, "said the ITA. This decision comes six months before the Tokyo Olympics which are held from July 24 to August 9.

"Do not endanger the athletes or the control officials"

The ITA clarified that it had "other partners in China and assesses whether checks can still take place in the days / weeks to come with other private providers".

"The situation is however to be cautious so as not to endanger either the athletes or the control officials and although recognizing the importance of anti-doping activities, the priorities are to maintain public health for all", added l 'ITA, in charge of doping controls for numerous sports federations and international competitions.

With more than 17,000 people infected, including more than 360 deadly, the balance of the new coronavirus now exceeds that of SARS in mainland China.

Several international sports events planned in China, including qualifying tournaments for the Tokyo Olympics, have already been canceled or moved due to the epidemic.

With AFP

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