The IOC has admitted it is "very concerned" after the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed it was conducting an investigation into potential integrity issues with the bottles ©Getty Images

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has admitted it is "very concerned" after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) revealed it was conducting an investigation into potential integrity issues with newly-introduced sample bottles.

WADA said new-generation BEREG-KIT Geneva security bottles, made by Berlinger, could potentially be opened if a sample is frozen.

It sparked concern over the anti-doping process with just over a week until the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

In a statement, the IOC said they had "immediately" contacted WADA when learning of the claims and asked them to "ensure that the anti-doping tests in Pyeongchang can be conducted in a credible and reliable way".

German journalist Hajo Seppelt claimed in a documentary on ARD that they had been able to open sealed containers "without trace".

It comes with the fall-out from the Russian doping scheme at their home Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics still continuing.

A covert operation to replace tainted samples with clean ones was supposedly in operation at the Games.

The IOC have asked WADA to ensure that the anti-doping tests in Pyeongchang can be conducted in a credible and reliable way following the worrying development ©Getty Images
The IOC have asked WADA to ensure that the anti-doping tests in Pyeongchang can be conducted in a credible and reliable way following the worrying development ©Getty Images

Russia are being forced to compete neutrally at Pyeongchang 2018 after being sanctioned due to the scandal, with numerous athletes stripped of medals and banned from the Olympic Games for life.

"The IOC is very concerned about this issue," the statement from the IOC read.

"WADA informed us that they were in contact with the bottle manufacturer Berlinger. 

"We have full confidence in WADA that they will find a solution for this issue."

WADA said they were alerted about the issue on January 19, with the new bottles only introduced in September last year in response to the Sochi scandal.

The organisation said they were aware the matter would "raise concerns and questions" if confirmed.

On January 27, Berlinger had advised WADA that they could not replicate the issue when carrying out tests.

Discussions will now take place between WADA, Berlinger and Cologne Laboratory to "further clarify" the testing protocols that have been undertaken to date.

"We wish to reassure athletes and other stakeholders that WADA is resolutely committed to following up with Berlinger until the matter is resolved; and that, we will keep stakeholders apprised as the situation evolves," WADA added in a statement.