Wed, July 03, 2019

WADA delivers batch of Russian doping data for possible bans

World Anti-Doping Agency has provided a first batch of cases to International Federations with respect to its Russian investigation.

WADA took data from 2,262 samples from the Rusada laboratory earlier this year. From the data, WADA Intelligence and Investigations (WADA I&I) has identified a target pool of 298 athletes (representing 578 samples) with the most suspicious data.

The agency now confirms that the relevant international federations results management process has begun. To date, of those 298 athletes identified by WADA I&I, the data of 43 athletes (150 samples) have been reviewed and the evidentiary packages have now been sent to the relevant international federations, and they are now assessing the evidence "with a view to identifying those cases to take forward as anti-doping rule violations"

These evidentiary packages are made up of the raw testing data, back-up computer files and relevant anti-doping samples, which WADA obtained from the Moscow laboratory's freezers in April.

WADA aims to provide more packages to the relevant international federations in the near future. “It is estimated that by the end of 2019, all priority cases will have been investigated by WADA.” the agency stated in their press release.

Gunter Younger, Director of WADA I&I, said “WADA I&I continues to make good progress on this long-running and complex case. The fact that we have moved to the results management phase means we are another step closer to bringing to justice those who cheated. This is an excellent development for clean sport and athletes around the world."

Please click here to view WADA's statement.