Parkinson, who has been involved in a number of IO programmes, including at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics and 2010 Tour de France, will head up an eight-strong team that will oversee and monitor the doping control operations in a neutral manner at next year's Winter Games, which get underway in 50 days' time.

During Sochi 2014 the committee - made up of Thierry Boghosian, Françoise Dagouret, Rob Koehler, Michèle Mercier, Tim Ricketts, Huw Roberts and Annelies Vandenberghe - will observe the test planning and delivery, doping control, laboratory analysis and results management, and produce a report on their findings following the conclusion of the Games.

They will also offer suggestions for improvements for future events, as well as interacting daily with officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) anti-doping programme to highlight any changes that require immediate attention so that they can be dealt with there and then.

Sochi 2014 will conduct 2,500 doping tests during the Winter Olympics ©Getty Images


"To date, the WADA IO Programme has proved an excellent means to help anti-doping organisations learn from major event anti-doping programmes operate and improve standards globally," Parkinson said.

"Athletes should have confidence that WADA will be attending the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and that experts from around the world will be on hand to assist both the International Olympic Committee and the Organising Committee."

The IO Programme was launched at the Sydney 2000 Summer Games at the invitation of the IOC but WADA President John Fahey explained that it is now "a much more collaborative exercise than it was during its infancy".

"WADA works closely with the IOC testing team right throughout the event to ensure that any necessary corrective action or improvements can be made during the event itself.

"This daily reporting method, as opposed to the provision of one final report, has been well received in recent IO missions, and helps ensure that an effective and robust testing programme is in place."

Earlier this year Sochi 2014 revealed that it will conduct 2,500 doping tests during the Winter Olympics.

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