Sport Ireland Statement on WADA Decision on Russia Compliance

Following the decision of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Executive Committee to maintain Russia’s compliance with the WADA Code, Sport Ireland has expressed disappointment in the manner in which the situation has been handled.

Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, said: “This decision by WADA is in no way surprising given the manner in which this scandal has been handled from the outset. It has been stated that September’s decision to reinstate Russia was done so under strict conditions, but these strict conditions have not been met. Russia continues to show flagrant disregard for WADA as evidenced by the missing of the December 31st deadline. It is difficult to have faith in the international anti-doping system when we see little in the way of meaningful action taken against a country that has been proven to have operated a systematic doping regime”.

Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr Una May, added: “Although expected, yesterday’s decision to maintain Russia’s compliance on the back of continued delays, compromises and an obvious lack of urgency on the Russian side is disrespectful to clean athletes everywhere. Contrary to what is said by WADA, this situation is in no way comparable to other instances of non-compliance with the WADA Code - this is the single biggest doping scandal to have ever occurred. At a minimum, it would have been expected that Russia’s compliance would have been suspended following its failure to comply with the strict condition of the December 31st deadline, pending the outcome of the analysis of the retrieved data.”