<P> Documents obtained in 2016 revealed the Soviet Union's plans for a statewide doping system in track and field in preparation for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles . Dated prior to the country's decision to boycott the Games, the document detailed the existing steroids operations of the program, along with suggestions for further enhancements . The communication, directed to the Soviet Union's head of track and field, was prepared by Dr. Sergei Portugalov of the Institute for Physical Culture . Portugalov was also one of the main figures involved in the implementation of the Russian doping program prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics . </P> <P> A very publicized steroid - related disqualification at an Olympic Games was the case of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who won the Men's 100 metres at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but tested positive for stanozolol . His gold medal was subsequently stripped and awarded to runner - up Carl Lewis, who himself had tested positive for banned substances prior to the Olympics, but had not been banned due to a lack of consistency in the application of the rules . At that time National Olympic Committees had leeway to determine whether a specific athlete met the criteria to be banned from Olympic competition . </P> <P> In the late 1990s, the IOC took the initiative in a more organized battle against doping, leading to the formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 1999 . The 2000 Summer Olympics and 2002 Winter Olympics have shown that the effort to eliminate performance - enhancing drugs from the Olympics is not over, as several medalists in weightlifting and cross-country skiing were disqualified due to failing a drug test . During the 2006 Winter Olympics, only one athlete failed a drug test and had a medal revoked . The IOC - established drug testing regimen (now known as the "Olympic Standard") has set the worldwide benchmark that other sporting federations attempt to emulate . During the Beijing games, 3,667 athletes were tested by the IOC under the auspices of the World Anti-Doping Agency . Both urine and blood testing was used in a coordinated effort to detect banned substances and recent blood transfusions . While several athletes were barred from competition by their National Olympic Committees prior to the Games, six athletes failed drug tests while in competition in Beijing . </P> <P> What follows is a list of all the athletes that have tested positive for a banned substance either during or after an Olympic Games in which they competed . Any medals listed were revoked by the International Olympic Commission (IOC). In 1967 the IOC banned the use of performance - enhancing drugs, instituted a Medical Commission, and created a list of banned substances . Mandatory testing began at the following year's Games . In a few cases the IOC has reversed earlier rulings that stripped athletes of medals . </P>

How do they test for drugs at the olympics