The International University Sports Federation (FISU) declared in Bangkok on Wednesday that the results of all drug tests taken so far during the 24th Universiade had been negative, categorically denying media reports of a doping scandal.

 

Larry Rink, Chairman of FISU's Medical Commission, told a press conference, "I'm happy to report that all tests to date are negative. We have no positive tests to date, and we have analyzed completely 276 samples."

 

The Medical Commission chairman also noted that all the drug tests during the Bangkok Universiade were conducted strictly in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency rules and that the laboratory of the Thai National Doping Control Center, which analyzes the samples, was among the best.

 

All the champions and athletes were selected randomly, he said, adding that altogether over 600 athletes would take the tests during the Bangkok Universiade.

 

On Tuesday, Western media reported that the World University Games were rocked by a doping scandal, quoting Rink as saying that there had been positive drug tests and that the details would remain private until the appeal process was over.

 

Rind categorically denied the reports, saying that the media had misunderstood what he said.

 

When asked that if the "some positive tests" he mentioned on Tuesday were proved negative after complete analysis on Wednesday, Rink said that he would comment no more on his words, but once again stressed the impeccable results of the drug tests.

 

Eric Saintrond, FISU Director-General, said that FISU officials learned about the scandal reports only after receiving a phone call from the FISU headquarters on Wednesday morning.

 

The FISU officials in Bangkok then found the news on the Internet and were shocked, he said.

 

The 24th Universiade, hosted by Bangkok, kicked off on August 8 and will run till August 18. About 12,000 athletes and officials from around the world have participated in the games.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2007)