Anti-doping whereabouts system ruled legal

The whereabouts system used by the World Anti-Doping Agency does not violate the human rights of athletes, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in Strasbourg on Thursday.

Elite athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) have been required to supply information on their whereabouts since January 1, 2009.

They must give one hour of every day, between 6am and 11pm, when they are available for testing - though tests can also be carried out at other times.

Former French cyclist Jeannie Longo, along with athletes from handball, football, rugby and basketball in France, went to court fighting against the system but the judges ruled against them.

While having to provide information on their whereabouts does affect privacy, the court ruled, the conditions were justified as without them the chance of doping would sharply increase - and potentially endanger the health of athletes.