AFP reports that around 1000 Australian athletes will be tested for drugs leading up to the Beijing Olympics.

Tests will then be stored for eight years in the new plan.

“This will be a major deterrent,” AOC President John Coates said. “Knowing ASADA (The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority) can go back and test for performance-enhancing drugs eight years later will make anyone thinking of cheating nervous”.

Olympic organizers are planning on doing a record 4,500 drug tests during the games - around half of all athletes.

Read more: More drug tests for Aussie athletes ahead of Beijing Olympics