"This is the first time we have done it. It is not that we havent thought of it before or we couldnt raise the funds. After the positive results that came out of the stored samples from London 2012 and Beijing 2008, it has convinced people enough that there is merit and worthwhile venture to invest in this," Dr Jegathesan said.
"I think it will become a consistent part of most programs and I think future organisers … we cannot be going backwards."
Freezing samples allows technology to progress beyond methods available at the time of the initial test. With doping bodies often playing catch-up with perpetrators, Dr Jegathesan said it was imperative to try and ensure clean athletes were given the best chance of success.
"I am sure when we discuss this subject in four years time we will talk about other things that can be done. It is a continually changing landscape," Dr Jegathesan said. "The role of major event organisers, international federations [and] national anti-doping organisations is to keep pace with these changes and not to be left behind."
ASADA boss David Sharpe also fronted the media, saying there had been no positive tests at the Games so far but three Australian athletes were prevented from competing after doping breaches in March. Sprinter Jessica Peris was banned in February after a doping breach, although Sharpe would not confirm if she was one of the cases in question.
Sharpe said a group of international athletes were also prevented from taking part in the Games, with that number being less than two. "We've seen the scandals over the last 18 months, which is why it was important that we delivered a program that removes cheats before they arrived at the Games," Sharpe said. "If you don't, clean athletes might not have their chance to stand on the podium and hear their national anthem."
The anti-doping measures in place at the Commonwealth Games have been described as pioneering, using intelligence-led testing rather than sheer numbers of random samples. Some 2600 Australian athletes and 500 international athletes were tested in the weeks leading up to the Games, while organisers had an early scare when needles were found in the village days before the Opening Ceremony. Members of the Indian boxing team were all re-tested but no breach was found to have occurred.
