Russia's anti-doping agency suspended by world body

The World Anti Doping Agency, WADA, has continued its pursuit of Russian athletes by suspending the country's anti-doping agency for "non-compliance".

Russia's anti-doping agency suspended by world bodyRussia's anti-doping agency suspended by world body

Russia's anti-doping agency suspended by world body

WADA recently released a report detailing widespread doping in Russia and casting further doubt on whether its athletes will compete at next year's Olympic Games in Brazil.

Earlier this month the World Anti Doping Agency released an incriminating report of widespread doping among Russian athletes.

It details everything from bribes to concealing positive tests and the destruction of samples.

There's even evidence of Russian state security services colluding with the country's athletics federation, allowing athletes to freely take performance-enhancing substances.

So few were surprised when WADA President Craig Reedie announced the suspension of Russia's Anti Doping Agency, RUSADA, for non-compliance.

 

"The compliance system we have, as you may have heard, involves us actually speaking to our organisations before we declare them non-compliant. We asked for their evidence but the evidence we got didn't help us in any way; it was quite clear that they were non-compliant and they have been declared non-compliant today."

 

Russia has already been barred by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and can only return to competition once they're proven to have set up a new anti-doping framework.

Former WADA President Dick Pound, who headed the commission that reported on Russia, says the country has some serious work ahead if it wishes to compete at next year's Olympic Games in Brazil.

 

"If you become compliant, we'll be happy to say you're compliant. If you're not, you're not. They're lucky right now that it is just a single sport, it might have extended to others had the terms of reference of our commission been different. You want to participate in international athletics, you have to fix it."

 

The top advisor on doping to Russia's Sports Ministry, Natalya Zhelanova, has welcomed the measures, which she hopes will result in fair treatment for those who aren't part of the scandal.

 

"We fully support any additional measures to athletes and support who we catch in doping, who violate anti-doping rules. But we are absolutely sure that clean athletes can't lose their right to participate in sport events."

 

Russia also remains confident the decision won't influence whether it can still host football's 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The head of Russia's World Cup committee, Alexey Sorokin claims an investigation into corruption allegations surrounding its bid is "effectively over".

And when it comes to FIFA's doping policies, Russia remains compliant.

 

"Our officials and international officials have stated recently that all issues could be resolved by means of joint efforts, there is nothing tragic going on, nothing irreversible going on. FIFA has its own doping policy, we certainly adhere to that."

 

WADA says more fact-finding is needed before deciding whether to expand its investigation into other sports.

But it's not just Russian athletics who have been declared non-compliant.

WADA also ruled Andorra and Israel's anti-doping rules were inadequate, while Argentina, Ukraine and Bolivia have been found guilty of using non-accredited labs to process urine and blood sample analysis.

And in an unusual twist, next year's Olympics host Brazil has joined Belgium, France, Greece, Spain and Mexico on a special WADA watchlist.

All six have until March to bring their anti-doping programs in line with the WADA Code or they could also be deemed non-compliant.

 






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