The researchers said a total of 2,168 athletes at the two events participated in anonymous questionnaires upon which the study was based. Other experts who did not take part in the study said doping may now be less widespread than it was in 2011 — thanks to improved detection methods and following more recent doping scandals involving Russian athletes, in particular. Olivier de Hon, manager of scientific affairs at the Netherlands Anti-Doping Authority, also said he has "good hopes" that doping is less widespread than in 2011. The IAAF's new anti-doping unit said that while it could not comment on the study's accuracy, it welcomes "any research on the prevalence of doping." The Athletics Integrity Unit added that it has "no doubt" that "significantly" more athletes are doping than are caught by drug testing.

Source: CBC News August 29, 2017 13:18 UTC