World Weightlifting Championship 2025: Innovative Doping Tests to be Used for the First Time

The International Testing Agency (ITA) will use a new method of sample selection - dried blood spots (DBS) - for the first time at the World Weightlifting Championship 2025, which will take place from October 2 to 11 in the Norwegian town of Ferdi.

"During the championship, ITA will take about 300 urine and blood samples. For the first time, ITA will also implement DBS testing, which will become one of the largest applications of this innovative method at a single event under ITA's supervision."

According to the new method, blood is drawn from a finger or forearm, applied to a card that absorbs the blood, and dried, without requiring the classic blood draw from a vein.

ITA also reported that most participants of the championship successfully passed out-of-competition testing in the six months leading up to the tournament. At the same time, the International Weightlifting Federation disqualified nine Russian athletes from the team, as well as four alternates, among whom were successful participants of previous competitions.

ITA will use the new sample selection method for the first time at the World Weightlifting Championship, which will provide for broader doping control at this spectacular event. Thus, athletes must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and absence of doping in sports.