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Doping agency suspends testing lab in Olympic host city Rio

MONTREAL » The World Anti-Doping Agency suspended the testing laboratory in Olympic host city Rio de Janeiro, its second violation in 20 months.

Today’s decision comes 10 months before soccer players’ samples are expected to be analyzed there during the 2014 World Cup.

The agency said the accreditation withdrawal prohibits the lab from "carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping activities." The Rio lab also is expected to test doping samples at the 2016 Olympics.

WADA said its executive committee could decide on "possible revocation" of the Rio center’s accreditation. The Rio lab has three weeks to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

WADA did not specify a reason or identify which international standards the lab failed to meet. The agency said it is responsible for ensuring that labs "maintain the highest quality standards." When those requirements are not met, WADA said it may suspend the laboratory’s accreditation.

Last year, the lab was barred for nine months from performing tests that measure testosterone levels. It had falsely accused a Brazilian beach volleyball player of doping with testosterone. The International Volleyball Federation had asked WADA to investigate.

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