Vice sports minister Roh Tae-kang said Thursday that South Korea is ready to provide "strong and effective" doping controls at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games.
Roh said at the World Anti-Doping Agency's Foundation Board Meeting in Seoul that the South Korean government, PyeongChang 2018 organizers and anti-doping authorities are in close coordination to come up with the best anti-doping programs for the upcoming Winter Games.
"The main goal of PyeongChang 2018's anti-doping programs is to provide fair competing opportunities to athletes," he said. "We will run strong and effective programs."
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In this file photo, taken on Nov. 10, 2017, South Korea`s vice sports minister Roh Tae-kang speaks at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Yonhap) |
Roh said PyeongChang 2018's anti-doping programs are in compliance with WADA code as well as policies from the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.
During the Winter Games, South Koreans will run two doping control centers in PyeongChang, the main host city of the Olympics, and Gangneung, a sub-host city where ice sports will be staged, with 19 related facilities.
"Earlier this year, our anti-doping authorities examined some 1,300 samples at the Olympic test events and other competitions, and we've selected core members," he said. "These selected experts will take care of doping controls at the Olympics and they've so far gone through five intensive training sessions."
Roh said South Korea is especially aware that the world is sensitive to doping these days and will not allow the PyeongChang Games tainted by poor drug controls.
"We want no athletes damaging their body because of doping," he said. "We also want to see athletes achieve results without any disadvantages because that's what sports are about."
At the WADA meeting, where IOC members and sports officials from some 30 countries were convened, Roh also promoted the PyeongChang Olympics, saying that South Korea is ready to entertain the world.
Roh reiterated that the PyeongChang Games will make the Olympic spirit shine and will contribute to peace in Northeast Asia.
"We believe peace between the two Koreas and in Northeast Asia can be achieved through the Olympic Games," he said. "South Korea will work hard to achieve the Olympic values." (Yonhap)
