'The recent doping discoveries have been fully assisted by the Turkish National Anti-doping Agency who have been working closely with the IAAF and World Anti-doping Agency. However, despite eight Turkish athletes reportedly failing tests at last month's European Team Championships in Gateshead, the National Olympic Committee of Turkey insists there is a zero-tolerance approach to doping in the country and the new cases will be resolved 'quickly and decisively'.Ī spokesman said: 'The NOC of Turkey and the Turkish government have a zero-tolerance policy on doping in sport and therefore we have been cooperating fully with all relevant investigations to resolve these cases as quickly and decisively as possible. Another high-profile Turkish athlete who has tested positive for a banned substance is the two-times European 100m hurdle champion, Nevin Yanit.

More are coming.' If the IAAF confirms the positive cases before the International Olympic Committee decides which city will host the 2020 Games in September, then it will be extremely damaging for Istanbul, which is vying with Tokyo and Madrid to stage the event. Commenting on the Alptekin case in March this year, after the 27-year-old won gold at London 2012, an IAAF spokesman told the Guardian: 'We have seen big abnormalities and it is not the only case from Turkey. The spate of positive tests comes after 'abnormalities' were recorded in the blood biological passport of the Olympic 1500m champion Cakir Alptekin, who may face a life ban from athletics after being suspended in May. Dozens of athletes are expected to be confirmed as having tested positive for banned substances after the International Association of Athletics Federations 'intensified' its anti-doping efforts within Turkey this year, with particular scrutiny at the Mediterranean Games last month. Turkey's chances of hosting the 2020 Olympics have been dealt a serious blow with a widespread doping scandal.

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