Russia non-compliant on WADA’s anti-doping protocols as IOC votes to lift ban
With IOC unanimously voting to lift the ban from Russia caused due to the widespread doping of Russian athletes, the WADA has acknowledged he decision but has also complained about Russia not following guidelines. 168 Russians participated as Olympic Athletes from Russia in the 2018 games.
As 2017 came to an end, Russia was banned by IOC for taking part in the 2018 Winter games due to a widespread drug-cheating in which many athletes were involved. Before the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, IOC released a statement saying that they would lift the ban from Russia if they don't get any doping Russian athletes during the Winter Games. WADA, despite acknowledging IOC’s move, has pointed that Russia had not been complying with their rules to curb doping.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, Wada said it “acknowledges” the IOC’s latest move but has highlighted that Russia is still not adhering to the World Anti-Doping Code.
“It should be clarified that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada) remains non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code as it has not yet met the necessary criteria of Rusada’s Roadmap to Compliance, following Russia’s proven systemic manipulation of the doping control process,” WADA said in a statement reported by Reuters.
“Rusada to assist them in rebuilding a credible and sustainable anti-doping program,” added the agency.
IOC had considered lifting the ban from over Russia as the IOC president Thomas Bach pointed out only if the athletes IOC's decision.
"The IOC could have considered lifting the suspension given that the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) had respected the IOC’s decision of December 5. However, two Russian athletes tested positive for doping here in Pyeongchang,” Bach said.
“Thomas Bach was a drowning man,” said Jim Walden, who is the lawyer of the Russian whistleblower and former Moscow drug lab director Grigory Rodchenkov.
“But finally cooler heads within the IOC threw him a life preserver. Yet in the decision, the IOC had the gall to claim Russia ‘respected’ its decision on December 5th to institute the suspension. This, despite Russia’s continued retaliation against the IOC’s main witness,