WADA Gives Four-Year Ban to Russia Over Doping Cover-Up

By Adam Kopet

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has handed Russia a four-year ban after it was found Russian officials tampered with the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory database.

The ban also comes on the heels of the Athletics Integrity Unit finding efforts from Russian Athletics Federation officials to falsify documents to prevent a ban for high jumper Danil Lysenko missing doping tests.

During the ban, Russian officials cannot attend major events, including the Olympic Games and World Championships. Nor can Russia host such events. Russia also may not bid for the right to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, regardless of when the bidding for those events take place.

Russian athletes, provided they can prove they have not been implicated in doping offenses, may still compete at major world events, however, the Russian flag may not be used in any way at the competitions.

Russia would also be required to pay a fine as high as $100,000.

Russia has until Dec. 26 to respond to WADA. Should there be an appeal, the case will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the former mastermind behind Russian state-sponsored doping and now whistle-blower who is hiding in the United States released a statement praising WADA's actions.

Statement by Russian doping mastermind-turned-whistleblower Dr Gregory Rodchenkov pic.twitter.com/fn4Y1YzjJY

— Dan Roan (@danroan) December 9, 2019