The World Anti-Doping Agency "has revoked the accreditation of the Rio de Janeiro laboratory that would have handled testing for the 2016 Summer Games" for failing to comply with int'l standards, according to Steve Keating of REUTERS. WADA on Tuesday said that "the decision marks the second time the Rio laboratory has fallen below the required standards." The revocation, which will begin Sept. 25, means that the laboratory -- which is currently suspended -- "will no longer be authorized to carry out the testing of doping control samples on behalf of WADA or any testing authority." While under suspension, LAB DOP -- LADETEC / IQ -- UFRJ Doping Control Laboratory (LADETEC), "is also ineligible to perform analysis of doping control samples for any testing authority" (REUTERS, 8/27).
ACCREDITATION REVOKED: ATHLETICS WEEKLY reported "exactly how the laboratory has failed in its work was not revealed," but a statement from WADA advised that the lab's accreditation had been revoked "due to non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) and the related Technical Documents." The laboratory may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days and may also reapply for accreditation and seek a "fast track" process from the exec committee (ATHLETICS WEEKLY, 8/28). INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL's David Owen wrote FIFA recently intimated that it had yet to formulate a "plan B" for handling World Cup doping tests in the event of the laboratory being unavailable and was unlikely to do so before next year. The only other WADA-accredited laboratory in South America at present is in Colombia, "although there are also facilities in Cuba and Mexico" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 8/28).
