Official Says IOC Hopes to Start Random Tests

The International Olympic Committee hopes to introduce random doping controls in its bid to combat drug use in amateur sport, an IOC spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Michele Verdier, IOC director of information, also said that, despite suggestions amateur sports bodies are losing the battle against drug use, the IOC never will permit performance-enhancing substances to be legalized.

“Lifting the ban on drugs is absolutely not a consideration,” she said. “We need the absolute cooperation of everyone in sport for a program of random doping control. We’re looking at flying-squad labs and putting in more testing labs.

“But that’s a question of money and technology and in certain parts of the world, we are facing some difficulties.”