WADA Suspends Rio Laboratory Weeks Before Olympics

On Friday, June 24, 2016, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed the suspension of a Rio de Janeiro laboratory responsible for processing all athletes’ drug test samples for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Brazil. The sanctions, coming six weeks before the opening ceremony on August 5, were due to “non-conformity with the International Standard for Laboratories.” The lab is prohibited from conducting any anti-doping analysis on blood and urine samples, effective immediately.

The lab was previously suspended in 2013, a year before Brazil hosted the …

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Nike Successfully, but Temporarily, Prevents Rising Track Star From Running in Rival’s Gear

On June 7, 2016 an Oregon federal court granted Nike’s request for a temporary restraining order which would prevent track star Boris Berian from wearing or endorsing any of Nike’s competitors for a short period of time. The order handed down on Tuesday will keep Berian out of New Balance products until at least June 21, when a more permanent solution to the contract dispute is handed down.

Berian is the 800-meter world indoor champion and has become one of the faces of middle distance …

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US Women’s Soccer Denied Right to Strike at 2016 Olympics in Brazil

The women’s national soccer team lost its match against the U.S. Soccer Federation on June 3, 2016. An Illinois federal district court in Chicago ruled the U.S. Women’s Soccer players cannot go on strike prior to the Olympics. The Federation initiated the suit after the players’ union lawyer denied the validity of the “no strike, no lockout” provision after the collective bargaining agreement was extended through 2016. The women’s team alleges that its players are paid less than the players on the men’s national team.…

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London 2012 Olympics will Feature Most Sophisticated Anti-Doping Testing in History

Olympic competitors who plan to run the risk of taking performance-enhancing substances before or during the London Summer Olympics are facing “the most sophisticated anti-doping operation in the history of the Games.”  A private sponsor will be aiding in the drug testing this year—a first in Olympics history—by providing facilities for scientists to conduct the testing. More than 6,250 samples of blood and urine will be tested (as compared to 4,500 samples tested inBeijing), with approximately 150 scientists running tests around the clock.

The list …

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Olympic Competitors Facing Hi-Tech Drug Tests and Sedative Bans

Olympic competitors who plan to run the risk of taking performance-enhancing substances before or during the London Summer Olympics are facing “the most sophisticated anti-doping operation in the history of the Games.” A private sponsor will be aiding in the drug testing this year—a first in Olympics history—by providing facilities for scientists to conduct the testing. More than 6,250 samples of blood and urine will be tested (as compared to 4,500 samples tested inBeijing), with approximately 150 scientists running tests around the clock.

The list …

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