Cracking Down on Dopers: WADA's Pre-Olympics Mission

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) intensifies efforts to prevent doping ahead of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, employing intelligence, whistleblowers, and busting illegal labs to target suspicious athletes. WADA collaborates with Interpol to dismantle supply chains and safeguard clean sports with law enforcement's backing.

With the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics three months away, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is ramping up efforts to curb doping activities. Guenter Younger, WADA's director of intelligence and investigations, emphasized that this period is crucial for catching athletes attempting to resort to illicit means.

Suspicious athletes are being tested more frequently, and WADA is relying heavily on whistleblowers to gain critical insights. Despite no significant uptick in whistleblower tips, each case related to the Games is prioritized. The agency is investigating claims around 23 Chinese swimmers linked to doping before the Tokyo Games.

'Operation Puncture' aims to understand leaks and reinforce the system while protecting whistleblowers. Through collaboration with Interpol, WADA targets illegal labs and supply chains, seizing 800 million steroid doses and shutting down 35 labs. WADA president Witold Banka highlighted the extensive operations involving local law enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)