THE world anti-doping agency (WADA) has complained over Russian authorities' delays on tackling state-sponsored cheating in their own country.
WADA also says slow progress has been made by Russia towards making the country's own anti-doping agency (RUSADA) compliant with international standards.
Four letters sent to Russia by WADA in recent weeks have gone unanswered, and "it seems our offer has fallen on deaf ears," WADA president Craig Reedie said on Wednesday.
WADA officials want to join the Russian Investigative Committee visiting the Moscow testing laboratory at the heart of a state-backed doping programme.
Giving WADA access to samples sealed in storage by Russia is a key point to re-accrediting the national anti-doping agency.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
RUSADA, has been suspended since November 2015 when WADA investigators first detailed doping in Russian athletics.
Drug testing in Russia has since been overseen by officials sent in by WADA.
A subsequent WADA-appointed probe by Richard McLaren detailed orchestrated doping and cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Reedie told a conference of anti-doping and sports officials that WADA wants to bring Russia "back in from the cold."
"It is just a pity it is taking so long for Russian authorities to make it happen," the WADA president said.
The WADA road map to restoring RUSADA's right to work also requires Russia's sports ministry and national Olympic leaders agreeing that McLaren's findings were accurate.
That has proved unacceptable to Russia.
"It is time for this situation to change in the interests of clean athletes, in Russia and beyond," said Reedie, adding that "every Russian sporting victory will be questioned" until the country does what is needed to fully return to international sport.
