Kazakh athletes undergoing additional doping test ahead of Rio 2016

    104 athletes from Kazakhstan who will compete in 26 sporting events in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro are undergoing additional doping test now, a news release from the National Olympic Committee told Kazinform.
    "The additional doping tests were launched July 20 as per the instruction of NOC President Timur Kulibayev and Minister of Culture of Sport, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly. The testing will last until August 1," the NOC explained.
    To get unbiased results, the athletes' blood samples will be sent to a Dresden-based (Germany) independent laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
    According to the NOC, the Ministry of Culture and Sport sponsors the additional doping testing via its Sport Support Corporate Foundation.
    In the event some athletes' samples are negative, they will be subject to the toughest sanctions at the national level.
    The NOC and the Ministry of Culture and Sport back the policy of the IOC and WADA on zero tolerance towards using doping and protection of ‘clean' sportsmen.
    The 2016 Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro on August 5-21, 2016, according to Kazinform.