Frank King, an architect of 1988 Calgary Games, dies

Observers find skepticism over anti-doping program

Questions over the integrity of sample-collection bottles led to frustration from athletes this year at Winter Olympics, including two who tightened their bottles so tightly, they cracked the caps.

Independent observers released their report Thursday about the anti-doping operation in Pyeongchang.

In all, there were 3,189 tests conducted that led to 15 positive tests, six of which led to anti-doping rules violations that were upheld. Two of those involved Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky , who gave back his bronze medal after testing positive for meldonium.

Observers said doubts about the credibility of the anti-doping program stemming from the Russian scandal at the Sochi Games in 2014 led to behavior that “revealed underlying feelings which included skepticism, doubt and fears.”

Among the athletes’ top concerns was the integrity of the urine-collection bottles, which were found to be susceptible to being opened without leaving any evidence. Media reports about the flaw circulated only weeks before the Olympics started. A different style bottle was used in Pyeongchang, but the confusion “created an atmosphere of suspicion,” and two athletes broke the bottles in an attempt to screw on the lids tight enough to ensure no one could tamper with their samples. CALGARY, ALBERTA » Frank King, an architect of the 1988 Winter Olympics that helped change the face of Calgary, has died. He was 81.

He died Wednesday of a heart attack while training at a downtown club, said Bob Niven, the chief executive officer of Calgary’s bid committee. King was an avid runner who competed in the Seniors Games.

King was the CEO of the organizing committee. In the effort to bring an Olympics to Calgary, King and Niven had to overcome the reputation of the moneylosing 1976 Summer Games in Montreal.