Sport Ireland Statement on WADA Recommendation to Reinstate Russia

Sport Ireland has joined international counterparts in calling for the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to not be reinstated until all ‘RUSADA: Roadmap to Compliance’ criteria have been satisfied in full.

This comes following confirmation from the World Anti-Doping Agency that its independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) has delivered a recommendation to go to WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) for the reinstatement of RUSADA when the ExCo meets this Thursday.

Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, said: “The confirmation from WADA that the organisation’s Compliance Review Committee will recommend the reinstatement of RUSADA at this week’s WADA Executive Committee meeting is deeply worrying. This is despite the fact that two of the criteria outlined in WADA’s own ‘Roadmap to Compliance’ remain outstanding.

“The wording of this document is very clear; Russia must publically accept the reported outcomes of the McLaren Investigation, and must provide access for appropriate entities to the stored urine samples in the Moscow Laboratory. Neither of these criteria have been satisfied.

“What is also clear is that WADA has softened its stance on the strict conditions which are laid out on the ‘Roadmap to Compliance’ and it is our view that this is not in the interests of clean athletes and all those who believe in protecting the integrity of sport.”

Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr Una May, added: “What we ask of WADA is for transparency on this matter. If Russia has accepted the findings of the McLaren Report, it has not been done publically. A letter dated just last week references the Schmid Report, however the letter makes no reference to the McLaren Report. What is also evident from that letter is that access to data and samples in the Moscow Laboratory has also not been granted. RUSADA should not be reinstated before the two remaining criteria have been met – clean athletes who compete on a fair playing field deserve this.”

Statement issued by International Anti-Doping Leaders today can be viewed here: https://www.sportireland.ie/Media/Latest_News/NADO%20Leaders.pdf

WADA’s RUSADA: Roadmap to Compliance can be viewed here: https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2017-08-02_rusada_roadmaptocompliance_en.pdf