WADA suspends accreditation of Almaty laboratory
WADA has suspended the accreditation of the anti-doping laboratory in Almaty, Kazakhstan for a period of four months.
The anti-doping laboratory in Almaty has become the latest to have its accreditation from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspended.
In recent months, laboratories in Moscow, Lisbon, Beijing, Bloemfontein, Madrid and Rio have been sanctioned for failing to meet requirements set by the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).
And the facility in Kazakhstan's former capital has now joined that list, WADA has confirmed.
A statement read: "The World Anti-Doping Agency has suspended the accreditation of the athletes' anti-doping laboratory in Almaty, Kazakhstan for a period of four months. The suspension, which took effect on 24 June 2016, prohibits the laboratory from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples.
"During the period of suspension, samples are required to be transported securely to another WADA-accredited laboratory, ensuring that athletes can have full confidence in continued high-quality sample analysis and the wider anti-doping system.
"The decision to suspend the laboratory is a direct result of the more stringent quality assessment procedures enacted by WADA to ensure laboratories maintain the highest standards.
"Pursuant to Article 13.7 of the World Anti-Doping Code, the laboratory may appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of receipt of notice."