USADA CEO Slams WADA After Russia Miss Anti-Doping Information Deadline

USADA Chief Executive Officer Travis T. Tygart has taken aim at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the "global anti-doping system" following Russia's failure to provide the necessary anti-doping information ahead of a December 31 deadline.

Tygart called the situation a "total joke and embarrassment" in a statement:

According to Eddie Pells of the Associated Press, WADA lifted a ban on Russia's athletes in September. As part of that decision, the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) was required to turn over data and samples, but Russian authorities overruled a WADA team of scientists in December, citing noncompliant lab equipment as the reason.

Per BBC's Dan Roan, the International Olympic Committee's statement appeared to indicate Russia won't be banned from the 2020 Olympics:

The Russian team was banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, after the IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee for its part in a state-sponsored doping scandal.

Some Russian athletes did compete under a neutral flag, and the team won two gold medals, including its first hockey title since the Unified Team did so in 1992.

Per BBC Sport, WADA's decision to reinstate RUSADA was a controversial one, with athletes and organisations from different countries voicing their criticism.

Sportswriter Nick Harris took to social media following the news Russia have missed their deadline:

As reported by BBC Sport, the UK Anti-Doping Athlete Commission has joined USADA in calling for an immediate suspension.