BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said on Saturday that a recent rise in positive doping cases is a result of intensified crackdown on drug cheats.

    According to Rogge, about 15 to 17 drug cheats have been caught just weeks before the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Olympics.

    "This is the result of a deliberate strategy and policy," Rogge told a press conference.

    "The IOC has asked the international federations to do a maximum of doping before the Olympic village has opened.

    "I am pleased to see it's successful," he added.

    A total of 4,500 doping controls will be conducted at the Beijing Games, up from 3,600 at Athens.

Special report: 2008 Olympic Games