Brazil's Athletes Weren't Drug Tested In Month Before Olympics

Brazil stopped drug testing its athletes for a month before the opening of the 2016 Olympics, an action the World Anti-Doping Agency called “unacceptable” on Friday.

A report from The Times says WADA was informed by the former heads of Brazil’s anti-doping agency that the country’s sports ministry stopped administering surprise tests to the nation’s athletes.

WADA sent a letter to Brazilian officials trying to figure out why athletes stopped getting tested. WADA deputy director Rob Koehler had the following to say:

"“The response was not satisfactory…the explanation that it had come about due to the changing of the guard in the ministry and the agency was not acceptable to us. “We informed the pre-Games task force and we told them to ramp up increased tests. It was unacceptable that it stopped. That was not a good move…the fact no testing was happening was a concern.”"

Luis Horta, who was acting adviser for Brazil’s program in the run up to the games, claims he was pressured to reduce testing on the country’s athletes.

Brazilian officials vehemently denied those accusations:

"“The Ministry of Sport and the Brazilian Doping Control Authority strongly refute the accusations made by Mr Horta,”"

This report certainly casts a shadow over the opening ceremonies that are about to get underway Friday night. Brazilian athletes not being tested in the lead up to the Rio games is a shocking development.