WADA to Reveal Doping Cases Before SLC Olympics - 2002-01-18

The World Anti-Doping Agency says it is ready to reveal several doping cases before the Winter Olympics get under way in Salt Lake City, Utah, February eighth.

WADA Chief Dick Pound told a Montreal news conference Friday that 24 athletes from Winter Olympic sports have suspect levels of banned substances in their dope tests.

WADA carried out a total of 3,500 tests on athletes in all winter sports. Only curling, figure skating, and biathlon did not have athletes on the list of potential drug cheats.

Pound said he was satisfied with the reliability of the drug tests, which were done in International Olympic Committee-accredited laboratories. Pound added that the list of potential cheats could grow because several samples are still being analyzed.

The WADA was formed in 1999 to help co-ordinate the worldwide fight against illegal drug use by athletes. The agency will continue tests until the Olympics get under way, when the IOC will take over.