Moscow doping lab faces WADA suspension

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced Sunday it would suspend the accreditation of the Moscow Anti-doping Centre for six months should the latter fail to comply with its conditions.

The Moscow Laboratory was required to employ independent quality management experts approved by the WADA Laboratory Expert Group by Dec 1 to assist Moscow in "drafting, finalizing, implementing and embedding" throughout its operations, the international independent agency said in an online newsletter.

These experts should then help Moscow conduct a comprehensive quality management program "that gives the Disciplinary Committee necessary confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the results" by April 1, WADA said.

The suspension will not take effect should both conditions are fulfilled.

Since it is not the responsible medical authority for the Sochi Winter Olympics, WADA "strongly suggests that the IOC considers appropriate action (including the appointment of necessary experts) to ensure the complete integrity of all analysis performed by the Moscow Laboratory operating in Moscow and/or in the satellite facility in Sochi."

WADA did not elaborate why it sanctioned the Laboratory, but RIA Novosti news agency said "there have been reports that the laboratory's director Grigory Rodchenkov was once arrested in connection with the supply of banned substances."

The Moscow Laboratory can appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of its notification.