Milano Cortina Olympics: Comprehensive Doping Tests Pave the Path to Fair Play

Over 90% of athletes participating in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have undergone tests for banned substances, according to the International Testing Agency (ITA). With extensive pre-Games doping controls, the initiative aims to ensure fairness and prevent past issues, like reallocation of medals due to doping allegations.

More than 90% of athletes set to compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have been screened for banned substances, the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced Tuesday. With the Games poised to begin on Friday, approximately 2,800 athletes from over 90 countries have undergone scrupulous testing.

The ITA, responsible for all drug tests since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, manages both pre-Games and in-competition evaluations. "During the pre-Games phase spanning six months, over 7,100 doping controls were carried out," reported the ITA, noting a particular focus on high-risk sports since August 2025.

Out of the 8% untested athletes, 28% are from high-risk disciplines. The ITA plans stringent monitoring during the Games. Leading the testing percentages are sports such as ski jumping and speedskating, with top national contributions coming from China, the USA, Germany, and Spain. With historical issues of doping, the IOC has intensified pre-Games tests, learning from events like the 2012 London and 2014 Sochi Games, where medals were reallocated following retests.

(With inputs from agencies.)