Belgium is fifth country in the world for doping

Belgium is the fifth country in the world in terms of the number of doping violations, according to a 325-page report published by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) independent commission, writes Het Nieuwsblad.

Due to its small size, Belgium has relatively few top athletes, and yet it ranks fifth in the 2013 doping statistics published by WADA. The Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV) Report reveals that 1,953 sanctions were levied for ADRVs committed in 2013. The sanctions were handed out to athletes and athlete support personnel from 115 countries in 89 sports. Belgium's fifth place seems surprising when compared to larger nations with questionable doping reputations such as Russia and Turkey.

According to anti-doping offical Dr. Hans Cooman, however, the result is not because Belgium is more involved in doping than other countries, but simply because it tests more often: "We test our athletes far more often than most countries, and more strictly,” Cooman explained in Het Nieuwsblad.