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Russia miss deadline for handing over anti-doping data but Wada executives vote against further sanctions

Wada was finally granted access to the Moscow lab data at the third time of asking - AP
Wada was finally granted access to the Moscow lab data at the third time of asking - AP

Russia has been let off the hook for missing a deadline to hand over data to inspectors from the Moscow laboratory at the centre of the nation's drug cheat scandal. Doping control agency Rusada will remain compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency code so long as it continues to co-operate, according to a vote by governing body executives.

Despite previous criticism from clean sport campaigners and vice-president Linda Helleland, Wada said the decision to avoid fresh sanctions against Rusada was unanimous. The meeting came just days after Wada was finally granted access to the Moscow lab data at the third time of asking. Sir Craig Reedie, the agency's president, said the executive committee "was pleased to hear of the significant progress that has been made in resolving the Russian doping matter".

"Collecting the all-important data is a critical step, and it was not easy to achieve," he said. "We are not yet at the finishing line and there is a lot more to do but undeniably we are much further along the track than we would have been without the September ExCo decision."

Russia can now continue with the process that will lead to the nation's full return to competitive sport.

Reedie added: “We are now proceeding to the second phase of that decision, namely authenticating the data retrieved from the former Moscow Laboratory so that ultimately we can use them to catch more athletes who cheated and to exonerate others. We will not be deterred from this mission, which we firmly believe is in the best interests of clean sport and of athletes worldwide. “Several members of the ExCo voiced their disappointment that the deadline had been missed but agreed that no sanction in that regard should be imposed."

Sanctions against Russia's doping control agency, Rusada, were controversially lifted in September - Credit: AFP
Sanctions against Russia's doping control agency, Rusada, were controversially lifted in September Credit: AFP

Sanctions against Russia's doping control agency, Rusada, were controversially lifted in September on the basis that Wada would be granted access. Officials from the governing body had previously already insisted Russia will not be allowed off the hook for missing the Dec 31 deadline to provide full access to samples. Wada has now secured data covering several years up to 2015, when the laboratory was shut down on its orders. Investigations found lab staff routinely covered up failed drug tests by hundreds of leading Russian athletes across dozens of sports. That eventually led to Russia being punished with restrictions at the Winter Olympics, where it fielded a smaller-than-usual team under the title “Olympic Athletes from Russia” and a neutral flag.

Mims Davies, the Sports Minister, expressed concern, adding that the "sorry episode" showed there is still "a lot of work to be done". She said: "Trust in elite sport has been rocked by years of doping scandals and allegations. While Wada's progress in gaining access to the Moscow laboratory and data is positive, they must not take their foot off the pedal now. “This sorry episode has shown that there is a lot of work still to be done. We need to see long-term, strategic changes to ensure increased transparency in the anti-doping system, so that all have confidence in Wada's future work and the integrity of sport.

"This is a message that has been continually impressed upon me by UK athletes and sports fans alike over the last few weeks, and it is a priority of mine to see it put into effect.”