Douglas Edmunds, Ph.D. announced that IFSA would begin a drug testing program this year to help safeguard the health of its strongman competitors.

Edmunds explained that the IFSA drug testing program would use a two-pronged approach, which would require strongman competitors to have a thorough annual physical and that the new IFSA athlete contract, in addition to requiring athlete loyalty, would encompass the athlete's responsibilities in terms of health and safety, as well as his or her acceptance of the IFSA drug-testing program once implemented.  Edmunds said that the physical would be required starting in April and that IOC-accredited laboratories would be used for the drug testing program.