Every member of the British team in Beijing this August will have been drug tested at least once in the run-up to their arrival in the Chinese capital. More than 1,500 tests will be carried out in UK Sport's most stringent ever anti-doping programme, with greater emphasis on "high-risk disciplines."

John Scott, director of drug-free sport at UK Sport, said: "We have a duty to ensure we do all we can to show the world that the British teams competing in Beijing are drug-free."

"In particular, we want the British public to have confidence that the performances they are watching are from athletes who have achieved success through four years hard work, determination and dedication, and not through cheating.

"Whilst the overall aim is to test everyone at least once, obviously those in more high-risk sports or disciplines can and will be tested more often.

"Essentially there is no limit to the number of times we might test any individual athlete."

Athletics in Britain has had to cope with the fall-out from two high-profile drugs controversies in recent times. Dwain Chambers, a 60 metre silver medallist at this month's European Indoor Championships in Valencia, after completing a two-year doping ban, is considering whether to appeal against his BOA life-ban from the Olympics.

Christine Ohuruogu, who served a year-long ban for missing a drugs test before a stunning return to the track saw her crowned world 400m champion in Osaka last year, has sucessfully appealed against the BOA ruling, which doesn't distinguish between failing a test and missing one.

Ohuruogu is now considered one of Britain's leading medal hopes in Beijing.

Scott added that Olympic and Paralympic athletes would be aided by UK Sport's educational programme, which will include a support phone line, face-to-face workshops and a website.

"On the global anti-doping scene we have one of the best education and information programmes," he said. "Our aim is to ensure that British athletes are well-equipped to not make any silly mistakes, and we are seeking to embed a no-compromise approach to doping at the heart of the team culture.

"Athletes and support staff need to be fully aware of their responsibilities with regards to anti-doping, and the scale of our pre-Games programme will ensure there really are no excuses if they do fall foul of the rules."