(Ottawa, ON) -- The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) reports that a total of 700 domestic doping control tests were conducted during the third quarter of 2000 with 73 percent on an unannounced basis.

 While many athletes competing at the Sydney Olympic Summer Games had been tested earlier in the year, athletes qualifying for the Olympics were the focus of testing in the three months prior to Sydney. Increases in the number of tests were notable in sports such as Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Gymnastics, Judo, Synchronized Swimming, Triathlon and Waterpolo. In total, 74% of all athletes competing in Sydney were tested within six months of the Games.

 The CCES reports statistics in the following categories:

 Domestic Program: A total of 700 tests were conducted on Canadian athletes during the third quarter of 2000. Of these 700 tests, 514 (73%) were of the unannounced category, while 186 (23%) were announced. Three infractions were reported including: two in Athletics and one in Equestrian.

 Major/International Games: A total of 66 tests were conducted on athletes at 10 different events held in Canada during the third quarter. All tests were of the announced category. No infractions were noted.

 Doping Control Contract Services: During the third quarter of 2000, a total of 117 tests were conducted for five client organizations: Bodybuilding, Cycling, Nordic & Ski Jumping, Softball, and Speed Skating. Nine infractions were recorded in the sport of Bodybuilding.

 The CCES is responsible for all aspects of drug-free sport, including athlete testing. The CCES provides quarterly and annual reports of all doping control tests carried out in Canada.