The World Anti-Doping agency (WADA) has stripped Russia of the right to take part in major international sports events, including the Olympic Games and World Championships, for the period of four years.
During Monday’s session in Lausanne, the 12-member Executive Committee (ExCo) unanimously endorsed the recommendation made by the independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) be declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code for a period of four years, the WADA press service reports.
“For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport. The blatant breach by the Russian authorities of RUSADA’s reinstatement conditions, approved by the ExCo in September 2018, demanded a robust response. That is exactly what has been delivered today. Russia was afforded every opportunity to get its house in order and re-join the global anti-doping community for the good of its athletes and of the integrity of sport, but it chose instead to continue in its stance of deception and denial,” WADA President Sir Craig Reedie said on December, 9.
Among other things, the WADA barred Russian government officials from attending ‘major’ events held in the four-year period; Russia’s flag may not be flown at any of them. In addition, Russia may not host or be granted the right to host high-profile international competitions.
The report was based in particular on a forensic review of inconsistencies found in some of the data that were obtained from the Moscow Laboratory in January, 2019. According to the agency, the Moscow data was intentionally altered prior to and while it was being copied by WADA in January 2019.
