As well as in-competition testing, during which about 300 urine - and possibly blood - tests will be conducted, education will play a significant role in the event's anti-doping programme.

The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Play True Generation Programme, which is delivered during major multi-national, multisport events for athletes under the age of 18, will take place at the Youth Olympic Village, while a computer game - Play True Challenge, which was launched at the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010 - will also feature in Nanjing.

"Anti-doping activities have been planned during the second Summer Youth Olympic Games, Nanjing 2014, to educate the young athletes about the dangers of drug use, especially in sports," said Zhao Jian, executive deputy director of Nanjing 2014's anti-doping team.

"These athletes are just starting their career in sports and they need to understand that doping is not the answer.

"Of course, if anyone tests positive, action will be taken."

Athletes will be notified of tests at the Village and samples will be taken by 50 trained doping control officers in accordance with International Olympic Committee and WADA rules before being sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory in Beijing for analysis.

"The only difference [for young competitors] is that when the athletes are notified, they are allowed to have a coach accompany them because they are under 18 years of age," Zhao added.

The World-Anti Doping Agency's Play True Generation Programme will be delivered at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Village ©Facebook


Meanwhile, the 33-strong British squad travelling to Nanjing have already been put through a pre-Games anti-doping education programme by UK Anti-Doping.

The national anti-doping agency has briefed the athletes and their support staff on Games-time procedures, including their responsibility to comply with the event's anti-doping rules and what might happen in they are subjected to doping control in the Chinese city.

Workshops were held that addressed topics including the principle of strict liability, how to check medication, the risks of supplement use and the testing procedures.

"We want every British athlete competing at a major event to be proud of their achievements as clean athletes, and confident they understand doping risks and their responsibilities," UKAD director of communications and education Nicola Newman said.

"Events like the Youth Olympic Games provide the perfect platform for UKAD to work with the next generation of athletes to support them early on in their elite sporting journey."

Nanjing 2014 will get underway on Saturday (August 16) and continue until August 28.

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