WADA gains access to Moscow lab and recovers data

The World Anti-Doping Agency has successfully been able to retrieve data from RUSADA’s Moscow laboratory that could potentially lead to further sanctions against Russian athletes concerned in the doping conspiracy.

The data are crucial to build strong cases against cheats and exonerate other athletes suspected of having participated in widespread doping on the basis of previous WADA-commissioned investigations. The data was retrieved from the laboratory’s various servers, instruments, computers and other electronic equipment. This information has now been transported out of Russia for authentication and detailed analysis by the Agency.

WADA President Sir Craig Reedie said: “This is a major breakthrough for clean sport. It shows we are continuing to make real progress.” Russia's failure to provide full access to the laboratory and data before the December deadline led to 16 national anti-doping bodies (Nados) and Wada's athlete committee to call for the country to be suspended from Wada. 

Next steps include authentication of the retrieved data which will allow WADA to proceed and support various sports and other anti-doping organizations concerned to build strong cases against athletes who doped. WADA have confirmed that certain samples are still stored in the Moscow Laboratory and will be re-analysed in an accredited laboratory no later than 30 June 2019.