Russia’s anti-doping agency remains suspended

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has maintained its suspension of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) at its meeting Thursday in Montreal as the country failed to fulfill the required criteria.

The global anti-doping watchdog suspended RUSADA in 2015 after declaring it to be non-compliant following revelations of a vast, Moscow-backed scheme to avoid drug testers.

WADA has called for access to the Moscow anti-doping lab and for Russia to accept the findings of a report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, which accused a state-sponsored doping scheme that tainted the Sochi Olympics and other events.

VCG Photo

Russian officials have concluded that their doping system failed, but have refused to acknowledge claims of institutional involvement and refused to accept the McLaren Report.

A series of doping scandals in recent years has led to scores of Russian athletes being barred from competition at major international events.

The lifting of the RUSADA suspension is a key requirement for track’s governing body, International Association of Athletics Federations, and for the International Paralympic Committee to reinstate Russia’s teams.

Russian athletes at the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games / VCG Photo

Russia was banned at this year’s PyeongChang Winter Olympics, but 168 athletes deemed “clean” were allowed to compete as neutrals.

Shortly after the Games, the International Olympic Committee lifted its ban of Russia’s Olympic committee by the end of February.

World Cup stadium in Kazan, Russia /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Russia has issued World Cup visa to German journalist Hajo Seppelt who was barred days earlier to report on the football event which will kick off next month. Seppelt reported on doping scandals in a number of countries including Russia before.

Source(s): AP ,AFP