Shenyang (China), Sep 6 (IANS): China's track and field governing body organised an anti-doping exam for all its athletes here, a day prior to the kick-off of the athletics competitions at its National Games.

A total of 1,264 athletes, coaches, as well as team staff took the open-book exam Thursday aiming to further raise their anti-doping awareness as part of the doping control programme of the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA), reports Xinhua.

The 40-minute-long exam featured three aspects: harms to dope offenders, anti-doping policy, and self-protection knowledge.

"The athletes must know what are banned substances and what are the dangers of doping. The open-book exam aims to give the athletes as well as their coaches a chance to review all the doping control knowledge. It is our way to protect them," CAA vice president Shen Chunde said.

"In previous doping cases, some used banned substances purposely. But in more cases, athletes tested positive because of unknowing or unintentional ingestion. We want the athletes to raise awareness and shield up for themselves."

The CAA started the exam in the 2009 National Games.