100 samples from 2008, 2012 Olympics tested positive after reanalysis

Rio de Janerio, Aug 5 (IANS) About 100 doping samples collected at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London tested positive for performance-enhancing substances following a recent reanalysis, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach has said.

"I think you are aware of the many measures we (IOC) have been undertaking," Bach said addressing a news conference after the 129th IOC session here on Thursday, reports Tass.

"We undertook a proposed comprehensive reanalysis programme ever with regard to the Olympic Games 2008 and 2012," he said.

"With this reanalysis programme, we have already identified that nearly a hundred athletes tested positive and they cannot participate in these Olympic Games."

The world's top Olympic official also said that all collected doping samples from the upcoming Summer Olympics in Brazil would be stored for the next ten years and would be subjected for re-tests at any moment.

"The doping samples of Rio 2016 will be stored for ten years for reanalysis at any time appropriate," Bach said.

Bach added that beginning with the Olympics in Brazil the responsibility of imposing penalties on athletes guilty of doping abuse would rest with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne instead of the IOC.

"Starting with Rio the sanctioning of doping cases at the Olympic Games will not be done anymore via the IOC, but it will be handled independently by the Court of Arbitration for Sport," the IOC president added.

Bach also urged a full revision of the world's entire anti-doping system and welcomed the voiced support of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to follow the proposed intention of the global Olympic body.

The 31st Summer Olympic Games, the very first for South America, are held in the resort city of Rio de Janeiro between August 5 and 21.

The 2016 Summer Paralympic Games will take place between September 7 and 18.

--IANS

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