Brazil to outsource anti-doping programme for World Cup

Rio de Janeiro, Sep 23 (IANS): The local organising committee of the 2014 FIFA World Cup has struck a deal with Swiss authorities to outsource part of the anti-doping programme for the showpiece event.

The Lausanne anti-doping laboratory will analyse blood samples and create biological passports – an independent blood profile of tested athletes – during the June 12-July 13 tournament, reports Xinhua.

The Swiss laboratory earlier has also worked closely with Brazil football authorities during the Confederations Cup in June.

It is still unclear if the samples will be flown to Switzerland, or analysed at a Brazilian laboratory.

World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) last month revoked the license of Rio de Janeiro’s Ladetec laboratory, originally earmarked to conduct tests during the World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics.

WADA claimed the facility had not met international standards, without revealing further details.