Restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic have reduced the number of doping tests to a minimum, creating another hurdle for the Tokyo Olympics to clear to go ahead on time.
The Games are scheduled for Tokyo from July 24 to August 9, but, since Friday, a chorus of sports bodies and athletes federations has begun to urge their postponement.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) had planned an exhaustive programme ahead of the Games, but anti-doping organisations in United States, France, Great Britain and Germany have announced in the last few days that they are reducing testing of top-level athletes.
The Chinese anti-doping agency stopped its activities at the beginning of February. The principal reason is the travel restrictions affecting 1 billion people worldwide, which are designed to halt the spread of Covid-19, which has caused more than 12,800 deaths.
"Our first priority must be public health and safety," the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Witold Banka, said on Friday.
Blood or urine testing, designed to catch athletes taking steroids, EPO or stimulants "continues very much reduced at the moment and adjusted to the circumstances, the German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) told AFP.
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"As the Olympic and Paralympic Games have so far not been cancelled or postponed, it is important that the athletes have a fair chance for Tokyo," NADA said.
"This also includes the necessary doping controls and the pre-Olympic test program.
Michael Cepic, director of the Austrian Anti-Doping Agency, said testing had become difficult. - 'Everyone is tested' - =========================
"Of course it's a major obstacle," said Cepic, "It depends on whether the situation drags on or not." In a statement released Wednesday, ITA said: "Current testing limitations and challenges will be duly taken into account by the Expert Group."
"But the possibility for your normal training is also quite reduced, you can dope but you have not the possibility to do your usual training routine," he added. "The doping become less effective."