ALL ATHLETES going to this year's Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, will be subjected to random drug testing.

The warning came yesterday from the National Anti-Doping Commission (NADC), a day after the body confirmed a positive drugs test by two national footballers on Barbados' World Cup team.

The footballers, who were not publicly identified, were tested by NADC prior to the return first round World Cup match against Dominica at Kensington Oval on March 26.

"In our ongoing effort to eradicate the scourge of illegal drugs in sports, NADC will be conducting randomised and unannounced testing of all athletes selected for the Olympics in Beijing," secretary Neil Murrell said in a statement.

He also said education workshops would be undertaken "to sensitise Barbadian athletes of National Federations on the issue of doping in sport".

The NADC secretary also gave the green light to student athletes who underwent anti-doping tests at last month's Inter-School Sports at the National Stadium.

"These tests conducted under strict WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) guidelines and sent to a WADA accredited laboratory, were all returned negative," Murrell said.

Because of the latest development, senior assistant secretary of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), Charles Husbands, has put footballers on guard that random drug testing in all the BFA's competitions would start immediately.

"Players can get tested at anytime. Testing can even be done at their homes and if they refuse, it would be regarded as a failure," Husbands said.

"It was supposed to start last year but there were some hiccups but it is definitely happening this year. All the divisions will be tested and all of the national players, including the women. We have to make sure that the players are in the clear."

In the BFA's Tournament Rules, Section 16 states: "The BFA reserves the right to carry out doping tests during any competition it organises and or sanctions. The right shall extend to training sessions and to all registered players and officials."

According to the rules, footballers failing anti-doping tests "shall be subject to disciplinary action by the BFA and the National Association on Substance Abuse".