WADA bans RUSADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended Russia's Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) with immediate effect for non-compliance.

A WADA-commissioned report released last week recommended firm action against RUSADA. This was followed by a WADA decision to withdraw accreditation from the Moscow Anti-Doping laboratory. Russia's track-and-field athletes were also suspended by the IAAF, the international athletics' governing body, amid the allegations of 'state-sponsored' doping contained in the independent commission's report.

Now WADA has taken action against RUSADA - a decision that had the 'unanimous' support from the foundation board. The ruling means that Russia is not permitted to host international events and 'cannot conduct operations until they reinstall quality anti-doping programs and are deemed compliant again.'

Five other countries - Argentina, Bolivia, Ukraine, Andorra and Israel - were also deemed non-compliant by the Compliance Committee. It said that more could be done by several countries regarding lack of compliance, but noted the importance of effective sanctions to prevent others from non-compliance.

Belgium, Brazil, France, Greece, Mexico and Spain were placed by on a watch list by the committee and have until March 18, 2016 to become compliant with WADA's codes.

rd/pfd (AFP, RTRE)