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18 September 2026
Taking place from 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Japan, the Asian Games are one of the largest sporting events in the world. Close to 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions, as well as the OCA Refugee Team, are expected to compete across 43 sports.
The ITA’s responsibilities cover the planning and delivery of a comprehensive anti-doping program for the Games. This includes developing the Games-specific risk assessment and Test Distribution Plan, managing the pre-Games testing program, overseeing in-competition and out-of-competition testing, administering Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), supporting intelligence and investigations activities, implementing long-term sample storage and re-analysis strategies, and leading independent results management on behalf of the OCA for any potential anti-doping rule violations arising from the Games.
During the Games, approximately 2,350 samples are planned to be collected as part of a risk-based and intelligence-led anti-doping program. Sample collection will be carried out by the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) under the program overseen by the ITA, while the samples will be analysed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory in Tokyo.
The ITA worked with its Games partners to ensure that all elements required for the effective delivery of doping control operations are in place ahead of the event. Throughout the Games, an on-site team of ITA anti-doping experts will oversee the implementation of the program, monitor compliance and support operational decision-making in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders.
Benjamin Cohen, ITA Director General, said: “The Asian Games are one of the largest sporting events in the world, and our priority is to help ensure that athletes can compete with confidence in a robust, independent and professionally delivered anti-doping program. The ITA already works throughout the year with the international governing bodies of the majority of the sports represented at these Games. This gives us valuable knowledge of the sports and their anti-doping environments, which we can bring together with the expertise of the OCA, the Organising Committee and JADA to protect athletes and the integrity of competition.”
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 anti-doping program builds on an established collaboration between the ITA and the OCA. The ITA previously delivered key elements of the anti-doping program for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 and has since continued to work with the OCA at other major multi-sport events, including the Harbin 2025 Asian Winter Games and the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games.
Dr. Sultan Abusaidi, Chairman of OCA Medical Committee and Anti-Doping Commission, said: “The OCA Medical Committee and Anti-Doping Commission play a critical governance and oversight role in safeguarding athlete health and upholding clean competition throughout the Games. Working closely with the ITA, the Commission provides strategic direction, supports alignment of the anti-doping programme with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, and oversees key medical and anti-doping protocols, including the implementation of the OCA Needle Policy.
By leveraging the ITA’s independent operational expertise to implement testing and results management, the OCA Medical Committee and Anti-Doping Commission provide effective governance and oversight of the programme, supporting a seamless and compliant framework that promotes fair competition and protects the health and well-being of all participating athletes.”
A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Observer team will also be present during the Games to independently assess the implementation of the anti-doping program.
