Athletes competing at the Sydney Games will face out of competition dope testing for the first time in Olympic history.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) are convinced the extra tests will make it riskier for drug cheats.

"From September 2nd athletes risk facing random tests, not only in the village but also private training quarters outside Sydney," said top IOC official Jacques Rogge, head of the IOC Sydney 2000 co-ordinating committee.

"Between 200 to 400 athletes will be tested from the minute they are accredited," added the Belgian.

But despite the extra tests there is still serious doubt over whether or not a system to detect EPO will be in place for the Games.