WADA Doping Commission Calls for Suspension of Russian Athletics in Competition
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) called for all Russian athletes to be banned from international competition on Nov. 9 after an investigation uncovered a widespread doping program that was allegedly aided by the Russian government.
WADA did not find hard evidence of government involvement but said in its report "it would be naive in the extreme to conclude that activities on the scale discovered could have occurred without the explicit or tacit approval of Russian governmental authorities," according to the Associated Press.
Continue for updates.
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WADA Makes Ruling on Russia Anti-Doping Agency
Friday, Nov. 13
The Associated Press reported WADA found Russia's anti-doping agency noncompliant.
The Associated Press also noted that "WADA's compliance review committee looked at the report issued by an independent committee earlier this week and also gave the Russian agency, known as RUSADA, a chance to respond."
The committee's findings will go to a foundation board who will vote on it on Wednesday. If RUSADA is found to be noncompliant, Russia could lose its ability to host international events.
Russia Appear to Admit to Wrongdoing
Thursday, Nov. 12
"We admit some things, we argue with some things, some are already fixed, it's a variety," Russian sports minister Vadim Zelichenok said via James Ellingworth of the Associated Press. "It's not for the press."
Putin Calls for Investigation
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Russia President Vladimir Putin ordered an investigation into the doping allegations, per the Associated Press, via ESPN.
"The struggle with doping in sports, unfortunately, remains a pressing issue and it requires unending attention," he said, per the report.
Bach Comments on Russia Expectations
Wednesday, Nov. 11
"I will not speculate on this." International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach told New Zealand television channel 3News, per Chris Borg of CNN. "Now we have this inquiry about athletics, the international federation will draw its conclusion and will take the necessary measures.
"I think also that Russia will cooperate to make progress and to be sure that Russian athletics are compliant with WADA. This is what it needs to be in order to participate in the Olympic Games."
Diack Resigns, IOC Calls for Disciplinary Cases Against Athletes
Wedneday, Nov. 11
Owen Gibson of the Guardian confirmed former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack resigned from his role as an honorary International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, a day after being "provisionally suspended," per Steve Wilson of the Associated Press.
Diack has been accused "of accepting more than [€1 million] in exchange for covering up positive drug tests," per Gibson and Damien Gayle of the Guardian.
Wilson added the IOC asked the IAAF to open disciplinary cases against the athletes in the WADA report, noting the IOC "could then strip medals of any athletes found guilty."
Putin's Spokesman and Russian Sports Minister Respond to Allegations
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Putin, said "as long as there is no evidence, it is difficult to consider the [WADA report's] accusations, which appear rather unfounded," per the Press Association, via the Mirror.
Russian Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko said the country may "withdraw funding from anti-doping" in the wake of the report, via Paul Kelso of Sky News.
IOC Shocked by Doping Report
Monday, Nov. 9
An IOC statement read:
"This is a deeply shocking report and very saddening for the world of sport. The IOC trusts that the new leadership of the IAAF with its President Sebastian Coe will draw all the necessary conclusions and will take all the necessary measures. In this context the IOC welcomes the clear commitment expressed by IAAF to do “whatever it takes to protect the clean athletes and rebuild trust in our sport."
The protection of the clean athletes is a top priority for the International Olympic Committee. This is why in Olympic Agenda 2020 the IOC has undertaken far-reaching measures in this commitment.
With regard to the Olympic Games, the IOC will continue to take whatever measures needed to safeguard clean athletes, clean sport and good governance. In the most recent Olympic Summit meeting, we have decided to make testing independent from sports organisations and have entrusted WADA to come up with proposals.
"
Details of Alleged Russian Doping Program Revealed
Monday, Nov. 9
In recent years, Russia has seen a rash of positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. Rebecca R. Ruiz of the New York Times reported the country had by far the highest number of positive tests, comprising 11.5 percent of the world's total.
If WADA's report is to be believed, Russia managed to cover up many more potential positive tests. Grigory Rodchenkov, who runs a Moscow testing lab, allegedly ordered 1,417 blood-control samples to be destroyed as part of a cover-up in the case.
The AP report indicated Rodchenkov "obliterated forever the attempt to determine if there was any evidence of athletes having clean and dirty 'A' samples at the Moscow laboratory." Rodchenkov's lab ran testing for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Per the AP report, WADA said the 2012 London Olympics were "sabotaged by allowing Russian athletes to compete."
WADA also alleged that the doping program disposed of positive tests and had athletes use an "obscure laboratory" for their tests to aid in the cover-up. Rob Harris of the Associated Press reported action is already being taken:
Mariya Savinova-Farnosova and Ekaterina Poistogova, who each took home medals at the 2012 London Olympics, are among the athletes named in the allegations. WADA is calling for a lifetime ban of both track and field stars.
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