There must be no more delays, no more procrastination, no more if’s and no more but’s from WADA over Russian systematic doping
Statement by FairSport Co-Founders Jim Swartz and Johann Koss
“With the 5th World Conference on Doping in Sport upon us, we urge WADA to ensure that if the appropriate authorities do not provide adequate explanations to the inconsistencies in the Moscow Laboratory anti-doping data, then Russian non-compliance must be dealt with rapidly and transparently. No more delays, no more procrastination, no more if’s and no more but’s.”
The integrity of sport and the credibility of WADA as an institution are at real risk. Under its newly-acquired powers, WADA for the first time ever has at its disposal the ability to act as a global watchdog is expected to act: with stringent sanctions for doping offences. Athletes expect it, the public expects it, even the Russian Anti-Doping Agency CEO expects strong action, as recently announced in the media: "What decision will WADA make? It will be strict. This is an issue of recidivism, a repeat, and it's about using the same methods again."
WADA must now be unrelenting in investigating, documenting and asserting Russian non-compliance. There have been too many delays, and the patience of those that love sport, above all athletes, is wearing thin. If the worst doping scandal of the 21st century does not warrant urgency from WADA, then what does?
WADA must use this week’s World Conference in Poland to address the elephant in the room. By ignoring this issue, at the biggest week in the anti-doping calendar, WADA would be neglecting its duty to protect clean athletes, and neglecting its very raison d’etre. And should Russia be found to be a repeat offender, FairSport joins the Australian Anti-Doping Agency CEO and a growing number of others by urging WADA to assert the most severe consequences for non-compliance now available to it under its rules. In particular, WADA should assert that:
Russia’s representatives should be ineligible to serve on the governing boards of other Code signatories, especially international sport organizations including the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and international Sport Federations.
Russia should be suspended as a member of both the Olympic and Paralympic movements, and its athletes excluded from international competition.
Russia should be banned from hosting international sporting events.
Russia’s national anti-doping organization should be subject to WADA supervision and/or takeover.
Russia should pay a substantial fine, as well as be liable for all the legal and other costs of WADA’s Code compliance efforts.
If as expected, WADA finds Russia to be non-compliant, then WADA must report this to UNESCO and the Council of Europe, for punishment under their international anti-doping conventions and other rules governing member States. WADA should, without delay, install independent international oversight of at least two international experts in Russia to monitor the country’s anti-doping program. Russia must be responsible for covering the costs of these experts. Should Russia contest WADA’s assertions of non-compliance to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, WADA should use every resource at its disposal to defend its prosecution of Russia at CAS.