The World-Anti Doping Agency (WADA) says Russia is still not meeting international standards which could result in the Russian Federation once again not being able to compete in the Olympic Games. The Winter Games in February are at risk. This would be the third Olympics in which Russia would not be able to compete.
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“I would like to believe that the people who are responsible for these decisions will avoid being subjective in their assessments and will be guided by common sense, rely on irrefutable facts, and not give in to emotions,” said Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov, reported The Moscow Times.
“We believe the state has fulfilled all its obligations,” he added.
Mikhail Degtyaryov, the chairman of the State Duma Committee for Physical Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth Affairs said, “Over the past 1.5 years, all the necessary changes have been made,” he said, adding: “We are even one step ahead of the world in terms of the level of anti-doping.”
“WADA’s refusal to restore RUSADA’s rights is nothing more than a politically biased decision,” he said. “It is a pity that politics continue to affect sports,” said his deputy Valery Gazzaev, wrote The Moscow Times.
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Part of the unfulfilled requirements for Russia to compete is that the country admit that there was previously a widespread, government-sponsored doping program with violated Olympic rules and must provide old urine samples.
