WADA Suspends Qatar Laboratory For Four Months; Lab Has 21 Days To Appeal

A drug testing laboratory in Qatar "has been banned from carrying out its work for four months" by the World Anti-Doping Agency, according to the BBC. WADA said that it was "suspending the Doha laboratory's accreditation until it improved standards." It is the seventh of 34 WADA-accredited labs "to lose its status this year." WADA said, "The decision to suspend the laboratory is a direct result of the more stringent quality assessment procedures." The laboratory "can appeal against the decision" to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days (BBC, 11/14). The AP reported WADA said that the decision "took effect last week, though it was announced Monday on the eve of Doha hosting the annual assembly of national Olympic committees." The laboratory’s website said that it is "an independent entity reporting directly to The Emir of the State of Qatar" (AP, 11/14).