The Dutch anti-doping authority registered 17 cases of sports men and women breaking doping laws last year, a rise of seven on 2014.

Thirteen cases centred on the use of banned substances, mainly anabolic steroids, the authority said in its annual report. In the other four, athletes had not complied with compulsory testing.

In total, the organisation carried out 2,416 drugs tests, of which 143 were flagged up as suspicious. In most cases further investigation revealed no problems, but in 13 samples a total of 19 different chemicals were identified.

Of these, three centred on power lifting, with football, cycling, rugby and billiards each accounting for two cases.