Is there drug testing in Beijing because of the Olympics?”
8/4/2008 The anti-doping crackdown shook more Olympians over the weekend and is expected to intensify leading up to Friday’s opening ceremonies while random tests are conducted at the athletes’ village. The sheer number of disqualified athletes — at least 37 since April — new testing methods, and Saturday’s ruling to strip another 2000 Olympic gold serve as warnings to athletes about the risks of using performance-enhancing drugs. “I am glad to see that it is successful,” said IOC president Jacques Rogge of the pre-Games drug testing. Prior to the 2004 Athens Games, 19 athletes failed drug tests, according to Olympic historian David Wallechinsky. Katerina Thanou, the Greek sprinter who dodged testers before the 2004 Olympics and served a two-year suspension, is expected to find out Thursday or Friday if she is eligible to compete in the 100 meters. A decision on her status and on the reallocation of Marion Jones’ five medals from the Sydney Olympics was delayed by the IOC. Thanou finis
