SMARTER STRATEGIES

    The IOC, WADA, IFs and national Olympic committees are adopting new strategies which are more targeted. Information became crucial in catching drug cheats even if they are never tested positive.

    Former American sprint queen Marion Jones was just released from her six months jailing following her conviction of lying about steroid use and check-fraud scheme. She did not failed a single dope test in more than 160 tests.

    The disgraced Olympian also returned her five medals from the Sydney Olympic Games.

    In November, WADA finalized a cooperation agreement with Interpol to work with the international police organization particularly in the areas of evidence gathering and information sharing.

    "2008 has been a year of further advances in the fight against doping in sport," commented Donze. "Testing tactics themselves have become smarter and more targeted."

    "The spate of doping cases and investigations this year are just one indication that the fight against doping in sport has made a big step forward," he said.

    CHINA WORK HARD

    China promised to send a clean team to the Olympics and they kept that promise.

    "Having a clean team in the Olympics Games is our goal," Chinese chef de mission Liu Peng said on the closing day of the Games.

    China carried out over 6,000 tests ahead of the Games with eight positive cases. National team swimmer Ouyang Kunpeng and national team wrestler Luo Meng were banned for life.

    China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) spokesperson Zhao Jian said the rigorous doping control program had seen close to 10,000 tests carried out in the Beijing lab.

    "We had our hands full for the whole year, conducting the doping control both for the Games and the Chinese delegation. We have been under huge pressure but the result was satisfying," said Zhao.

    More coordinated efforts were put in to tighten the management of performance-enhancing drug suppliers and manufacturers.

    Ministry-level government departments, including sports, drug safety, health and public security watchdogs, joined force in the fight against doping.

    "The Olympics already came to an end but China's concerted efforts against doping will not," said Jiang Zhixue, Chinese anti-doping head in sport.