The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that 23 competitors from the 2012 London Olympics have failed doping retests. The IOC said 265 London samples had been retested with improved techniques. The 23 failures are competitors from six countries, competing across five sports. 

This time, the announcement that 23 athletes at the London 2012 Olympics have failed retrospective doping tests. The athletes are from five different sports and six different countries. It follows the announcement last week that 31 athletes from the 2008 Games had tested positive. The tests focused on athletes who could take part in 2016 Rio Games.

The retests have been conducted using the latest scientific methods. The IOC say the program is ongoing, with the possibility of more results in the coming weeks. The World Anti-Doping Agency began the retesting process last year.

The International Association of Athletics Federations will make a decision on whether Russia's track and field athletes will be allowed to compete at the Rio Games. Last year, Russia was suspended by the IAAF after being accused of state-sponsored doping, in a report commissioned by WADA.

With the Rio Olympic Games fast approaching, the IOC is attempting to send a strong message. It may take time, but eventually the authorities will catch up with the dopers. The process is far from perfect but that should at least offer a crumb of comfort, to all of the clean athletes.