South African athletes to compete in the Beijing Olympics, will all have to undergo a series of tests before their departure.

The decision was announced Tuesday by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) who unveiled details of the anti-doping programme for the Olympic and Paralympic teams heading to the Games in Beijing.

"It is the Institute's responsibility to ensure that our athletes' performances are the result of athletic prowess, dedication, determination, and not through cheating.

"When South African athletes stand on the winning podium, we want the public to celebrate their achievements with the confidence that our athletes are true performers and not cheaters, " said the institute's CEO, Khalid Galant.

In order to ensure South Africa sends a clean team, the institute is refining its drug testing program in the lead up to the Games. Athletes can expect to be visited by doping control officers for a few no-notice, out-of-competition tests before their departure, either at training sessions or at their places of residence.

The institute has a national network of doping control officers around the country who will be authorized to conduct these tests at any place or time.

Athletes residing or training overseas can also expect visits from doping control officers from other national anti-doping agencies. The overseas doping control officers are authorized by the institute to perform tests on South African athletes in the respective countries.

"We are also stepping up our education program for Olympic athletes so that they are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities as athletes pertaining to drug testing during the Games.

"The Institute is striving to have face-to-face contact with all our Olympic athletes to brief them on the doping control procedures that they can expect in Beijing and to address any concerns the athletes, coaches or managers may have as far as the drug testing processes are concerned."

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2008)