There have been 26 positive doping cases detected involving Chinese athletes this year as a result of much stricter controls, a sports official said in Nanjing on Monday, two days before the 10th National Games are due to open there.

"It is the last National Games before the Beijing Olympics in 2008 as well as the first National Games since China's State Council enacted the Anti-doping Code, so doping controls this year are tougher than ever," said Zhao Jian, vice director of the Games' Doping Control Department.

"There will be about 1,600 urine tests in the course of the 10th National Games, up 20 percent on the ninth edition of the quadrennial Games," added Zhao.

A total of 24 positive cases were reported in 2001, including 11 cases during the Games. There were only 17 positive cases for the whole year of 2004.

Zhao said the 26 doping cases so far this year include athletes who missed tests.

"If an athlete misses two out-of-competition tests, it is counted as a positive result and the athlete concerned faces at least a two-year suspension," Zhao said.

Of the 26 cases, 12 athletes come from weightlifting, five from athletics, and one each from horse racing, rowing, speedskating, cycling and bodybuilding. Four students also tested positive when enrolling for the Beijing-based Capital Institute of Physical Education.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2005)