Sample re-tests from Sochi Olympics to run to 2022: IOC

BERLIN: The re-testing of samples from the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics in Russia to identify any cheats who had competed there will last another five years to 2022, the International Olympic Committee said.

The IOC is re-testing thousands of samples from the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 summer Games as well as the Vancouver 2010 and Sochi winter Olympics to root out any doping offenders.

More than 100 have so far seen their sample test positive from Beijing and London alone.In addition a total of 28 Russian athletes who took part in Sochi, face disciplinary proceedings over possible manipulation of their urine samples from the Sochi Games.

“The IOC has an ongoing programme of reanalysis of all stored samples from Sochi, Vancouver and London,” an IOC spokesperson said on Tuesday.“The reanalysis from Sochi of samples from athletes from many different sports and countries will continue through to 2022,” the official told Reuters.“We have no specific timeline. The IOC will continue to communicate on a case by case basis.”