New Sanctions Imposed on RUSADA for Non-Compliance

The Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has decided to issue new sanctions on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) for continued non-compliance with the Agency’s Code. Further, reinstatement conditions have been laid down. This decision was taken on the recommendations of the Compliance Review Committee (CRC).

The Russian Federation will not only lose its WADA privileges (including funding) but will also not be able to fly Russia’s flag at regional, continental and world championships, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, until the reinstatement conditions have been fulfilled.

The press release highlights that Russia’s NADO is already non-compliant with the Code on account of non-conformities relating to national legislation that were discovered in September 2022. Through its award dated December 17, 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) imposed a list of consequences on RUSADA for a period of two years. Considering that the consequences imposed by CAS have ceased to be operative, WADA has issued fresh sanctions in light of continued non-compliance. RUSADA has been granted 21 days’ time to dispute the sanctions and reinstatement conditions.

The Agency has also proposed sanctions on NADOs from Bermuda and South Africa for non-compliance with the Agency’s Anti-Doping Code.