This was what happened with Russia a year ago following WADA’s Independent Commission publishing allegations of state-supported doping, with the All-Russia Athletics Federation subsequently suspended by the IAAF.
Advertisement
The country announced reforms on Wednesday that it hopes will fix the credibility of its anti-doping operation, with all track and field athletes expected to undergo a minimum of three independent, externally administered anti-doping controls before the Olympic Games.
A new bill which criminalises doping has been passed by Kenya’s parliament – easing fears that the athletics powerhouse will be banned from the Rio 2016 Olympics.
These will be carried out by the sport’s governing body, the IAAF, in addition to existing anti-doping steps.
WADA revoked its accreditation of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory on April 15, citing the lab’s alleged non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories and related technical documents.
The experts – nominated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) – will be tasked with ensuring the Russian anti-doping system is free of any interference, and is fully independent.
Russian Federation was deemed non-compliant after a report by WADA uncovered signs of systemic doping within the country as well as cover-ups of positive tests by athletes, coaches and agents.
Advertisement
“On the basis of Wada’s notice issued on 11 April 2016 with respect to meldonium findings and the specifics of your case, the provisional suspension from worldwide competitions imposed on 31 March is lifted with immediate effect”, the IAAF wrote to Petrova, according to Reuters. “No. We are clean”.
