Winter Olympics 2026: No positive doping tests during Milan-Cortina Games

It is hoped pre-Games testing will prevent the cruel situation that Britain’s bobsleigh team found themselves in.

John Jackson, Bruce Tasker, Stuart Benson and Joel Fearon finished fifth at Sochi 2014 behind two Russian crews, who were later disqualified for doping.

Almost six years later, the British crew were awarded their bronze medals at a Team GB ball in 2019.

It was a moment that gave Jackson relief, as opposed to elation.

“Do I feel like an Olympic medallist? I don’t know, because we never received our medal on a podium,” he told BBC Sport.

“We missed out on potential extra funding for the sport and on potential sponsorship opportunities.

“But not only us – there were athletes that possibly had to retire because they didn’t hit their funding markers.

“It’s the bigger picture of the consequences of the wider sport.”

It’s clear that Wada and the ITA have taken great strides but Jackson feels the dopers will always be one step ahead, and there should be greater deterrents if they are to be wiped out altogether.

“I think they should have a lifetime ban,” Jackson added.

“Great Britain used to have that, and I think that the only way to stop it is to make the consequences a lot more severe than what they are.”