Bloemfontein anti doping facility comes under massive scrutiny

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Monday the suspension of Africa’s sole accredited drug-testing laboratory, the South African Doping Control Laboratory in Bloemfontein, due to “multiple non-conformities” with international standards.

The suspension, effective for up to six months, comes as a result of ongoing concerns regarding the facility’s adherence to the International Standard for Laboratories.

In a statement, WADA revealed that the Bloemfontein lab had previously faced restrictions in September last year, with certain anti-doping activities allowed to continue.

However, following expert advice, WADA made the decision to suspend the laboratory’s accreditation in light of the identified non-conformities.

The suspension, which went into effect on March 1, prohibits the Bloemfontein laboratory from conducting any anti-doping activities, including the analysis of urine and blood samples, except for activities related to the Athlete Biological Passport hematological module.

WADA emphasized the importance of upholding international standards in drug-testing procedures to maintain the integrity and credibility of anti-doping efforts.

“The suspension…prohibits the Laboratory from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including analyses of urine and blood samples, with the exception of analysis related to the Athlete Biological Passport hematological module,” WADA stated in its announcement.

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