WADA suspends Chinese anti-doping lab

Beijing's National Anti-Doping laboratory found itself suspended for a maximum of four months by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday, after failing to comply with international standards.

WADA said the lab needed to take five "remedial steps" and to tackle "non-conformities." WADA did not identify what the exact issues at the Chinese facility were. If successful in meeting the requirements, WADA said, the laboratory could apply for reinstatement within the four months.

The Chinese lab also has 21 days to appeal the decision.

"The suspension, which takes effect immediately, prohibits the laboratory from carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping activities including all analyses of urine and blood samples," WADA said in a statement.

Widespread failures reported in Russia

The full significance of the ban remains unclear, given that details of any breaches have yet to be revealed.

A Moscow laboratory that was used for anti-doping tests had its accreditation revoked last Friday, after systematic failures were identified within Russia's anti-doping program.

Russia is currently suspended from international athletics events after a report on widespread sports corruption and cheating in the country. Russian athletes could even miss out entirely on participation in this year's Rio Olympics.

rc/sms (AP, AFP, Reuters)