Russia’s reinstatement by WADA called “the greatest treachery against clean athletes in Olympic history”
Russia's three-year ban for suspected state-sponsored doping has come to an end
— by Madeleine Kelly from Canadian Running
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has voted to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in a meeting in the Seychelles on Thursday morning.
RELATED: Russia’s anti-doping agency recommended for reinstatement
The vote was nine to two in favour of reinstatement, with one abstention. This ends Russia’s three-year ban for suspected state-sponsored doping. The reinstatement follows a WADA key review committee recommendation that the Russian anti-doping agency be reconsidered.
Canadian Olympic gold medallist Beckie Scott reportedly resigned from the WADA Compliance Review Committee. The CBC says that Scott will remain the chair of WADA’s athlete committee.
The CBC reported that Canadian Beckie Scott (Olympic gold medallist), who recently resigned from her position on the WADA Compliance Review Committee said, “I’m profoundly disappointed. I feel this was an opportunity for WADA and they have dealt a devastating blow to clean sport. I’m quite dismayed.”
Canada's Olympic athlete's commission stands with @usocaac @ukantidoping @EthicsInSPORT and the many others who implore @wada_ama to stay the course in defense of clean sport. Follow your Road map as it was originally set.#NoUTurnWADA pic.twitter.com/VMBT9sKZ0Q
— Athletes' Commission (@TeamCanadaAC) September 20, 2018
Scott joined the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport (CCES) in expressing their concern. The Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission wrote to the WADA president, “We strongly urge you and the WADA Executive Committee to vote against the recommendation of the Compliance Review Committee to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.”
According to the BBC, WADA President Craig Reedie says the reinstatement is, “subject to strict conditions.” He continues, “This decision provides a clear timeline by which WADA must be given access to the former Moscow laboratory data and samples.”
A version of this story first appeared at runningmagazine.ca.
