 Athletes must be available to provide a sample 365 days a year under Wada's code |
The five Olympic sports which had yet to fully comply with global anti-doping rules have now fallen into line. Gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball, handball and modern pentathlon have adopted World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) regulations on drugs testing. It lifts any threat of the five sports being kicked out of the Olympics. Wada director general David Howman said: "They have done what was expected. This removes the impediment that was in the way last year." The sports were cited in November for non-compliance, but Wada extended its deadline by six months to give them more time. Their compliance will be ratified at Wada meetings in Canada this weekend. The Agency is also expected to finalise an agreement with European countries on safeguarding data that athletes give about their medical treatments, doctors, coaches and other personal issues. Wada may also consider the fall-out from the controversial "whereabouts" rule, which requires elite athletes to be available for out-of-competition testing for one hour a day, every day of the year. Many athletes contend the system violates their right to privacy, and football's world governing body Fifa has sought an exemption. Howman said the rule, which went into effect on 1 January will only be reviewed after a year. "There was a rush of criticism in January and February," he said. "But as time has gone on, we are being proved to be right in saying 'give it time'."
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