The re-analysis of samples from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was carried out due to the progress of science, not due to new suspicions, and the selection of samples is based on a risk assessment, not on specific names.
There are no final decisions at the moment, as anti-doping procedures are ongoing. This is emphasized by the International Testing Agency (ITA) in an official response to a query from bTV regarding the current cases, including the one with the Bulgarian sprinter Ivet Lalova-Kolio.
On Thursday, January 22, ITA announced that our best athlete in recent years is among the seven Olympians in whose samples from Rio 2016 a prohibited substance was found. Here is the full response from International Testing Agency:
„As stated in the ITA public statement, the stored samples from the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games were subject to a re-analysis program conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and applicable International Standards. The re-analysis used analytical methods that were not available or sufficiently developed at the time of the initial analysis in 2016.
The results obtained are largely due to scientific and technical advances, including improved analytical sensitivity and the ability to detect new steroid metabolites.
The selection of samples for re-analysis follows a risk-based approach and may take into account a variety of scientific, analytical and intelligence-related factors.
The international control agency does not comment on the selection of individual athletes or specific samples.
The affected athletes have been notified in accordance with applicable results management procedures and have been informed of their rights, including the right to request analysis of a “B“ sample.
Because proceedings are ongoing and subject to confidentiality requirements, ITA cannot comment on communications with individual athletes, nor specific procedural steps or timelines,“ the Testing Agency said.