IOC to re-examine Beijing samples
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revealed it will retest 5,000 doping samples from the Beijing Games to check for traces of a new blood-booster drug.
The IOC said its doping lab in Switzerland would be specifically testing for Cera, an advanced version of endurance-enhancing hormone EPO.
The decision comes after French officials detected Cera during retesting of Tour de France samples.
However, it is thought the retests will cover all sports, not just cycling.
IOC president Jacques Rogge explained "our message is very clear. The IOC will not miss any opportunity to further analyse samples retroactively.
"We hope that this will work as a strong deterrent and make athletes think twice before cheating."
Senior figures in the anti-doping world are sure this re-testing will throw up positive tests, possibly including medallists.
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