Moscow: The Russian authorities are going to test all athletes heading to the London Olympics for doping, an official said.

"Prior to departure for the Olympic Games, the 100-percent doping control will be conducted. No athlete will leave without testing," said Natalia Zhelanova, head of the Russian Sports Ministry's anti-doping department.

She reminded in a press conference that in 2012 the candidates of the Russian Olympic team had been tested for doping 882 times.

"Russia has made a huge step in coping with doping. As a result, Russia has been recognized as completely matching the World Anti-doping Agency's Code," she said.

In 2011, Russian athletes were tested for doping about 20,000 times with less than two percent of the tests positive, director of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency Ramil Khabriev said.

According to Khabriev, the number of positive doping tests rose 17 percent in Russia in 2011, especially among the Continental Ice Hockey League players.

Russia has set a minimum target of 25 gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, in a bid to reach a top-three place in the medal table. (IANS)