DISINFO: WADA decision on Russia is illegal
SUMMARY
From a legal point of view, there were no grounds for withdrawing the status of Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA because last year, the agency successfully passed WADA’s audits twice and it was recognised as one of the best in the world in its indicators. Therefore, RUSADA’s status was temporarily suspended on a formal far-fetched pretext. All databases and test tubes were transferred back to WADA in early 2019. Further studies were conducted without a Russian presence, contrary to international legal procedures, which makes the decision illegal, unreasonable and requires an objective review by the International Sports Arbitration Court.
RESPONSE
One of the methods of Kremlin disinformation is to deny the authority of international organisations and independent agencies and question their mission. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments around the world. Its key purpose is to carry out the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonising anti-doping policies in all sports and in all countries. WADA reports cases of non-compliance to its stakeholders who have jurisdiction to impose sanctions, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Olympic charter was amended in 2003 to state that the adoption of the Code by the Olympic movement is mandatory. Only sports that adopt and implement the Code can be included and remain in the programme of the Olympic Games. If a country does not ratify the International Convention against Doping in Sport, it may be subject to sanctions from the IOC and from other sports organisations, including losing the right to host the Olympic Games. In Russia, the following organisations have accepted the WADA Code: Russian Olympic Committee, Russian Anti-Doping Agency 'RUSADA' and the Paralympic Committee. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned Russia from participating in major sports events for 4 years. The unanimous decision by WADA's Executive Committee was made after Russia's Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was declared uncompliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonising anti-doping policies in all sports and in all countries. WADA's Executive committee is composed of 12 members representing both the Olympic Movement and governments. The Executive Committee made its decision based on the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC), which has considered a report from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Intelligence and Investigations Department (I&I) and findings of independent forensic experts. The Russian authorities have a right to appeal the decision within 21 days. Read more here.