WADA made two suggestions to Russia on reinstating Rusada, says president

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sent two suggestions to Russia for reinstating the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada) in mid-June, but no response has been received so far, WADA President Craig Reedie said on Tuesday.

"I think relationships are good to the point that we have yet to purify the two conditions that are still outstanding. We made two helpful suggestions in mid-June, and we've had no response from Russian authorities at all and I think that's disappointing," Reedie told Tass news agency in an interview.

"I certainly spoke with (IOC) President (Thomas) Bach after his meeting with President (Vladimir) Putin and wish that Russia should be fully welcomed back into the world of sport. The suggestions we made particularly as far as the laboratory, I think, were very helpful. It would make it easier, and I am really rather disappointed that I have not had any response from senior figures in Russia," he added.

The World Anti-Doping Agency suspended Rusada in November 2015 following an investigation in regard to the activities of Rusada, the All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), the Moscow anti-doping laboratory and the Russian Sports Ministry.

The investigation was carried out by the WADA Independent Commission, which concluded that Rusada did not live up to the WADA standards.

The commission accused certain athletes and sports officials of doping abuse and involvement in other activities related to violations of international regulations on performance enhancing substances. The work of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory and Rusada was eventually suspended.

--IANS

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