Swiss announce anti-doping program
BERN, Switzerland -- Nine of Switzerland's top swimmers will take part in an anti-doping program as part of their preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.
The Swiss swimming federation says Friday that the athletes will give blood and urine samples for three years so scientists can analyze their individual body chemistry for traces of banned drugs and blood treatments.
Steffen Liess, the federation's performance director, says doping remains an issue in swimming because FINA doesn't operate a biological passport program.
Tests in the "Clean Water" campaign will be done at a laboratory in Lausanne that is accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It helped the International Cycling Union set up a pioneering passport project that monitors 850 professional riders.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
