Commonwealth Games to store doping tests
Doping samples at next year's Commonwealth Games will be stored long term for future testing for the first time with organisers hoping it will act as a deterrent for drug cheats.
The "tanking" of tests from the Gold Coast event is part of a series of measures announced in a partnership designed to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the Games.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Organising Committee for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GOLDOC) and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) will work together in a rigorous anti-doping program.
This includes the establishment of a pre-Games Anti-Doping Taskforce to test athletes, with the federal government committing an extra $1.5 million.
It will also work with Australian law-enforcement organisations to investigate the possession and trafficking of banned substances.
With Russian athletes were banned from the Rio Olympics and anti-doping there branded the "worst" in Games history, acting CEO of ASADA Judith Lind said it was an opportunity to set a new benchmark.
"The 2018 Commonwealth Games provide a watershed moment for this partnership to raise the bar for anti-doping programmes," Lind said.
"The decision to tank all samples for the first time in Commonwealth Games' history shows our commitment to a high-integrity games, and to the protection of clean athletes the world over."
