Brazil’s suspended anti-doping lab could be ready for Olympics

The sports drug-testing lab in Rio de Janeiro – recently suspended for falling short of international standards – could resume operations by the time the 2016 Summer Olympics begin in August.

Brazil’s sports minister told reporters Thursday that he expects the lab to be re-accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency within the next few weeks.

“The cause of the issue that led to the suspension has been identified and corrected,” Leonardo Picciani was quoted as saying by multiple news agencies.

WADA officials suspended the lab on June 24 but said they would work closely with the Brazilians to resolve the unidentified issue.

If the lab is not approved for operations by the start of the Games, blood and urine samples would be transported to accredited labs in other locations for testing.

david.wharton@latimes.com

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