New design for doping sample bottles

The makers of the doping sample bottle said to have been tampered with by Russian cheats have come up with an improved design.

latest Berlinger Special BEREG-Kit for human urine doping testing

The makers of doping sample bottles supposedly tampered with by Russia have improved the design. (AAP)

The manufacturers of the doping sample bottles supposedly tampered with by Russian intelligence agents have introduced a new design to try to stay one step ahead of cheating scientists.

World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren found FSB agents tampered with samples during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, leaving no sign of scratches or marks to untrained eyes.

Expert testimony in McLaren's latest report revealed how thin strips of medal could push up a ring around the bottle's neck, allowing the Russians to replace dirty samples with clean urine.

Berlinger, the Swiss company that makes the bottles, is working with law enforcement specialists in Europe to perfect designs harder to break into undetected.

A new bottle went into circulation on November 15 for doping testing, although Berlinger declined to outline the new safety measures.

"We work with forensic specialists from different nations," Berlinger spokesman Hans Klaus said during a visit to London.

"We want to always stay a little bit ahead of those cheating but you cannot avoid a system like the Russians built up."


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Source: AAP


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