TIANJIN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 13th Chinese National Games, known as China's mini-Olympics, will be the most tested version of the national sports gala, a senior official from the organizing committee said here on Wednesday.
According to the organizers, a total of 2900 tests will be carried out, marking a 12.6 percent increase in the number of the tests compared with the last edition four years ago in Shenyang, Liaoning.
Chen Zhiyu, director of the Games' anti-doping department, said new testing method will be adopted in Tianjin.
"The meet will for the first time introduce the urine growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) test," said Chen, also deputy director of China's Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA).
"We set up an anti-doping department of 787 staff, which will carry out the heaviest anti-doping work," he added.
The anti-doping team, including 301 anti-doping officials, will be divided into 49 groups working in venues and the athletes' village.
All the testing samples will be collected daily and sent to the CHINADA lab in Beijing. The lab will work around the clock to ensure the timely delivery of test report.
"Anybody tested positive will be severely punished," said Chen, showing the country's determination to weed out doping cheats.
The 13th National Games will kick off this Sunday and go through to Sept. 8 in northern city of Tianjin.
The National Games, inaugurated in 1959, drew teams from all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. According to the organizing committee, the 13th event has attracted 10,217 athletes to participate in 33 sports and 417 events.
