The anti-doping measures for this year’s French Open have been further strengthened thanks (or no thanks?) to the presence of French agency AFLD (Agence Française de Lutte contre le Dopage). Both the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and AFLD will conduct random drug checks on players during the claycourt Grand Slam which starts on May 24.
The development came into light after ITF accepted the French anti-doping agency’s request to participate.
According to reports provided by French news dailies Le Monde and Les Dessous du sport, the newly implemented World Anti-Doping Code made it possible for the Roland Garros organizers to accept AFLD’s request.
AFLD is an independent public agency formed three years ago that’s tasked to ensure that participating players in sporting events in France abide with anti-doping rules. The agency has been active with the prestigious events such as the Tour de France and World Ski Championships.
Agency President Pierre Bordry said that they wouldn’t divulge how many random checks they’ll make.
