China vows zero-tolerance on doping for Olympic team

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In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, members of the Chinese delegation for Rio Olympic Games attend an official ceremony in Beijing, Monday, July 18, 2016. China is sending 416 athletes in total to the Rio de Janeiro Games, including 35 former Olympic champions. China's team includes 160 men and 256 women, who will compete in 210 events across 26 sports. (Cao Can/Xinhua via AP)

A top Chinese sports official says the country has committed to a zero-tolerance stance on doping ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Vice Director of the General Administration of Sports Gao Zhidian told the official Xinhua News Agency on Thursday that Olympics-bound athletes and coaches are required to sign pledges not to cheat, saying violators would be severely punished.

Gao said athletes, coaches and team doctors must also pass a written exam on banned substances with only those scoring 80 percent or more permitted to go to Rio.

China has sought to shake a reputation for doping following past scandals. That resolve was questioned when it emerged that officials waited six months before revealing champion swimmer Sun Yang served a three-month suspension after testing positive in May 2014.

From Agencies, Feature image courtesy AP

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