The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that there were more than 30 athletes who failed the doping test in the current Winter Olympics in Canada. He said that the pre-competition tests returned a mixture of positives for banned substances and failure to comply with testing protocols. It is also expected that the number may increase as the winter games progresses. John Fahey, head of WADA, said that they were able to barred athletes in competing for the Beijing Olympics because of the doping tests. Athletes who will try to cheat in the Winter Olympics will also face the same fate. However, the anti-doping agency refused to name the athletes who failed in pre-competition tests. “The one thing I will declare: Athletes who seek to cheat at these games, it’s more likely they’ll be caught than in any other games in our history,” Fahey told the media during a press conference. “The approach that’s been taken around the world by national Olympic committees and anti-doping agencies (is) to ensure that they are not going to be embarrassed by having cheats represent their nation,” Fahey added.

It was noted that the athletes with positive tests came from different sports and from different countries. The anti-doping agency together with the IOC will be conducting unannounced, out-of-competition and during the competition tests on more than 2,000 athletes. The IOC also reported this week that they have conducted 554 tests since the opening of the games. 407 athletes were asked to provide urine samples while 147 were required to give blood samples. The anti-doping officials were glad that none came back positive. The athletes are tested for various performance enhancers like anabolic steroids.

Although the tests only caught a few athletes, the head of WADA still believes that they are effective in performing their duties. “I don’t try to put too much of an emphasis on how good, or how small the number is. Either way, it indicates we’re effective. It’s a number I don’t think you can ignore. That’s why I say it’s significant,” said Fahey.

David Howman, the Director General of WADA also said that their drug testing is comprehensive. “It’s a bit like before Beijing, when 70 athletes didn’t go to the Games because they had tested positive beforehand. The pre-Games testing is pretty intensive. We can say it was effective because there are some athletes who didn’t come,” said Howman.

Representatives from other countries with previous doping issues are under scrutiny in the Winter Games. This is the case of Russia where 6 of their athletes were suspended last year for using blood-boosting drugs. Jacques Rogge, International Olympic Committee president, urged Russia to improve their anti-doping policy in lieu to the doping cases of their cross-country skiers and biathletes. Although, it was already reported that the deputy leader of Russian anti-doping agency assured the Winter Olympics officials that they have conducted rigid drug tests on their athletes. Risky types of sports like biathlon, skiing, skating were subjected to more than 5 tests. Players of the National Hockey League who will compete in the winter games were already under WADA’s supervision since last year. The NHL doping policy is not yet fully compliant with the WADA Code.

Fahey is optimistic that their efforts to clean the sports with performance enhancing drugs will be successful as more anti-doping agencies of participating countries, government agencies, law enforcement agencies and including pharmaceutical companies are cooperating. “We’re getting better. The weaponry that’s being used is far more effective,” said Fahey. “There was a time when the thought was ‘if you blanket test everybody, then you’ll pick up some.’ Now, with the sharing of information, they’re able to target test. Makes us far more effective,” the WADA head added. An independent panel headed by Scott Burns, a former White House Deputy will monitor the drug testing procedures in the Winter Olympics and will collaborate with the International Olympic Committee on the progress of anti-doping tests.