IAAF reveals extent of World Championships anti-doping operation
The IAAF have released a highly detailed breakdown of their anti-doping efforts at the World Championships in Beijing.
Athletes at the 2015 World Championships were subjected to record levels of anti-doping tests, according to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Reports before the competition in China's capital claimed that the IAAF's operation to beat the cheats would be scaled back compared to previous years, but a statement released to Omnisport angrily refuted those claims.
Just two athletes have been found to have doped before or during the Championships – Kenyan runners Koki Manunga and Joyce Zakary.
But the IAAF have once again stood by their methods, claiming no competition does as much to combat drug cheats.
A statement read: "The doping control programme implemented by the IAAF in Beijing was the largest implemented in a single sporting event BY ANY SPORT since the IAAF World Championships in Moscow two years ago.
"A total of 1,405 doping controls were carried out in Beijing which included the following breakdown of tests and analysis:
- 662 blood tests for screening purposes in the context of the Athlete Biological Passport, all carried out at the athletes' hotels prior to the event
- 161 blood tests for the detection of Human Growth Hormone and Erythropoiesis stimulating agents
- 54 urine tests conducted out-of-competition
- 528 urine tests conducted at the stadium, 239 of which will be specifically analysed for EPO and related substances.
"As forecast by the IAAF prior to the championships, the programme was highly targeted in nature.
"Thousands of samples were collected out-of-competition in the lead-up to the event, and the IAAF then implemented an intelligence-led programme in Beijing which will see the samples frozen and stored for future re-analysis as science and technology progresses."