Olympic officials call for doping crackdown, to retest 2006 samples

On a day when the president of the International Olympic Committee urged sports officials throughout Europe to join in a crackdown on doping, the IOC offered details about its retesting of 350 samples saved from the 2006 Turin Winter Games.

The retests will make use of more sophisticated techniques than were available seven years ago and will focus on athletes and events most at risk for doping, Dr. Richard Budgett, the IOC’s medical director, told the Associated Press.

IOC President Thomas Bach told a general assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Rome that greater scrutiny was crucial.

“Please, speak with your national anti-doping agencies,” he said in a Friday speech. “Speak with your governments. Speak with your national federations.”

Bach emphasized the scandals that could arise from cheating.

“You can win as many medals as you want in the Olympic Games,” he said. “But if you have a doping case by one of your successful athletes, the image of your team is tainted.”

Pre-competition testing for the Sochi Winter Games has been increased by 57% from the 2010 Vancouver Games, Bach said. Overall, testing will see a 40% increase.

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