Wada could test for drugs using hair samples, says Sir Craig Reedie

Athletes could soon be tested for drugs using hair samples according to Sir Craig Reedie, the incoming president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Briton Reedie revealed that a £6m fund from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could lead to new testing techniques to catch cheats.

Currently athletes are tested using blood and urine samples.

"Now we will look at different approaches such as, can we use a lock of hair?" Reedie said.

Traces of some drugs can last longer in hair than blood and urine and could improve testing.

"This new fund from the IOC will create tremendous opportunities for advances in anti-doping and allow our scientists to look at alternative approaches to sample testing for banned substances," Reedie said.

"This is a really exciting development and means we can look at approaches that in the past have been unaffordable."

A Moscow testing laboratory for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics had its Wada accreditation suspended recently, but Reedie, who takes over his role on New Year's Day, confirmed that provisions have been made.

He added: "There will be a very well-staffed and functioning satellite laboratory in Sochi and a group of foreign experts are helping resolve the problems in Moscow."