The athlete was reacting to the report released last week by a WADA-appointed independent commission that detailed corruption inside Russia’s anti-doping program and its track team. According to Canadian Richard Pound, the former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency and vice-president of the worldwide Olympic Committee, the recent findings are “the tip of the iceberg”.
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The vote came as key figures in the anti-doping movement, including Olympic champions Edwin Moses and Beckie Scott, called for banning the Russian track team from next year’s Olympics and for the probe in Russia to extend beyond track and field.
“We’re anxious the Russians will scapegoat the athletes, and that the coach who told them to dope and the person who helped them dope will not be punished”, Konrad told AP.
“WADA is encouraged by media reports that Kenyan cabinet has now approved rules and approved laws and that it will commit funding to Kenyan anti-doping program”.
“As we have seen from WADA’s immediate response to the Independent Commission’s report, action is now well underway to right wrongs that exist in anti-doping”.
The WADA Athlete Commission was also supportive of the move, which will see WADA potentially move its investigation into other sports in Russian Federation, possibly including cycling.
WADA’s foundation board voted unanimously to pass the measure after Bouchard’s submission.
Pound also alleged that Kenya has a “real problem with doping”.
The WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie, stated: “We will conduct the necessary meetings with the Russian authorities in respect of the non-compliance status of RUSADA that tests athletes in all sports within Russia”.
It was also agreed that a group would be formed to explore the worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC)’s independent testing proposal, first floated at a recent Olympic Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. He said there is a high probability that athletes in other sports in Russian Federation were involved in the country’s doping program.
Russian officials have set out a three-month plan to clean up the sport and ensure that their athletes are able to compete in Brazil.
“There are a lot of athletes watching and waiting who are counting on the forces of anti-doping to bring their full strength and resolve to this fight”.
The African nation topped the medal table at August’s World Championships in Beijing, amid allegations of doping cover-ups in the country.
“The theme of the day has clearly been investigations”.
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“We saw the tip of the iceberg exposed then”, Moses said. While there continues to be a persistent need for vigilance, the delegates have a great deal of confidence in WADA and its efforts to work with all stakeholders to address issues swiftly and firmly.
