WADA has said it will closely monitor testing activity in regions affected by coronavirus ©WADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has said it will closely monitor testing activity in regions affected by coronavirus to detect any possible "gaps" that may need to be addressed.

The organisation has also called on Anti-Doping Organizations (ADO) worldwide to prioritise health and safety while protecting the integrity of doping control programmes.

If it is determined that there has been an absence or diminished level of testing on athletes in areas of higher risk, WADA says this information will be conveyed on to the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, as well as any other ADO with a major event in the coming months, which would benefit from such information to adjust their testing programmes accordingly.

This includes the Pre-Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Task Force, which is being led by the International Testing Agency.

"WADA continues to watch the evolving COVID-19 situation closely with particular regard to how the virus may impact the conduct of anti-doping testing activity worldwide," WADA director general Olivier Niggli said in a statement. 

"To that end, WADA urges all ADOs to follow the advice of local health authorities to ensure proper protection of athletes and doping control personnel; while, protecting the integrity of doping control programmes, particularly in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games."

WADA director general Olivier Niggli says the organisation is continuing to watch the evolving COVID-19 situation closely ©Getty Images
WADA director general Olivier Niggli says the organisation is continuing to watch the evolving COVID-19 situation closely ©Getty Images

ADOs are being encouraged to advise WADA of any amendments that they are making to their testing programmes so that the global anti-doping watchdog can coordinate and assist as necessary.

The advice follows WADA’s announcement last month that the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) will resume testing following a temporary suspension because of the coronavirus outbreak.

WADA said CHINADA would resume its testing programme, suspended on February 3 amid the outbreak of a virus which has killed more than 3,300 people, on a "phased basis".

Priority will be given to testing elite-level athletes from "higher-risk categories and sports", WADA added.

Last week, WADA cancelled its upcoming Annual Symposium in Lausanne after Switzerland banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people because of the coronavirus outbreak.

WADA confirmed the annual event, due to be held at the SwissTech Convention Center on March 17 and 18, would not take place and will not be rescheduled.