Wada has suspended an accredited testing lab in Doha after it failed to meet standards. Photo: AP

Wada suspends Doha test lab for four months after it fails to meet new guidelines

Doping body also suspended Beijing test lab for four months last year and Rio lab ahead of the Olympics

Published: 10:08am, 15 Nov 2016

World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) officials have suspended the drug testing analysis laboratory in Doha, Qatar for four months for failing to meet tougher new guidelines, Wada announced Monday.

The suspension, which began on November 7, prohibits the laboratory from any anti-doping measures, such as analysis of urine or blood samples. Those must now be transported to another Wada-accredited lab.

A Wada announcement said the lab accreditation was suspended due to stringent new quality assessment procedures. The Qatar lab has 21 days from the serving of notice to appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

World Anti-Doping Agency president Craig Reedie. Photo: Kyodo

Details of exactly what areas the Qatar lab failed to measure up were not revealed.

The lab can apply for reinstatement earlier than next March if it makes changes to conform, while it could face an extra six months suspended if it fails to improve within four months.

Wada suspends accreditation of Beijing anti-doping lab for four months after it fails to meet quality standards

Another site assessment would be required to reinstate the Doha lab, but it could also uncover other areas that would also need to be addressed before reinstatement.

Post