Home > News

Russia’s reinstatement by WADA called “the greatest treachery against clean athletes in Olympic history”

This ends Russia's three-year ban for suspected state-sponsored doping

by Madeleine Kelly

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has voted to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in a meeting in the Seychelles on Thursday morning.

The CBC reports that Jim Walden, lawyer for Russian Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov said this morning, “WADA’s decision to reinstate Russia represents the greatest treachery against clean athletes in Olympic history.”

The vote was nine to two in favour of reinstatement, with one abstention. This ends Russia’s three-year ban for state-sponsored doping. The reinstatement follows a WADA key review committee recommendation that the Russian anti-doping agency be reconsidered.

In response, by the reinstatement of Russia, Canadian Olympic gold medallist in cross-country skiing Beckie Scott reportedly resigned from the WADA Compliance Review Committee. The CBC says that Scott will remain the chair of WADA’s athlete committee.

The Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport (CCES) also opposed the reinstatement expressing their concern in welcoming Russian athletes back to the Olympic Games. The Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission wrote to the WADA president, “We strongly urge you and the WADA Executive Committee to vote against the recommendation of the Compliance Review Committee to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.”

According to the BBC, WADA President Craig Reedie says the reinstatement is, “subject to strict conditions.” He continues, “This decision provides a clear timeline by which WADA must be given access to the former Moscow laboratory data and samples.”

Earlier this year, it was reported that Russian cyclist Olga Zabelinskaya planned to change her nationality to ensure her participation in the 2020 Olympic Games.

A version of this story first appeared at runningmagazine.ca.

Categories: News |