Russian doping agency to run ‘drug testing’ again
Limited powers
KAZAN, Russia, June 27, (AP): The World Anti-Doping Agency has partly restored drug-testing duties to the Russian anti-doping agency.
RUSADA was suspended in 2015 when its staff was accused of helping to cover up drug use, but will now have wide-ranging authority over testing.
After intense negotiations and sweeping personnel changes at the Russian agency, WADA said Tuesday it has now allowed RUSADA to “plan and coordinate” drug testing under the supervision of British agency UKAD, which has overseen testing in Russia during the national anti-doping body’s suspension.
“Resumption of testing represents an important step forward in rebuilding anti-doping in Russia,” WADA president Craig Reedie said. “We strongly encourage Russia to continue their efforts in the interest of clean athletes worldwide.”
RUSADA will have free rein to choose which athletes to test, even if UKAD disagrees with its choice, and employees will now be allowed to collect samples from athletes. Previously, UKAD oversaw testing and hired private firms to collect the samples.
“UKAD will continue to be involved in the training and development of RUSADA,” WADA spokeswoman Maggie Durand told The Associated Press in an e-mail. “UKAD does not have the authority to overrule RUSADA testing plans.”
Two WADA appointees attached to RUSADA since last year will monitor the testing, Durand added.
Samples will have to be sent to laboratories abroad. Russia’s only drug-testing laboratory remains suspended after its former director said he switched dirty samples for clean ones to cover up doping.
WADA said it allowed RUSADA to resume testing after Russia fulfilled some conditions, including releasing some blood samples from the suspended lab and providing guarantees that drug testers would be allowed in “closed cities” where many Russian athletes train in military units.
Earlier Tuesday, an accountancy executive took the place of pole vault great Yelena Isinbayeva as RUSADA chair. Alexander Ivlev, who heads financial services firm EY’s Russia operations, was elected Tuesday to chair the RUSADA supervisory board.
Isinbayeva had first been appointed as chair in December, which angered WADA because of her persistent criticism of probes into Russian doping. Isinbayeva stepped down as chair last month because WADA said her senior role at the Russian Olympic Committee was a conflict of interest. first half defending but managed two opportunistic tries with winger Tommy Seymour finishing off a length of the field movement after Greig Laidlaw had made an intercept with the Hurricanes hot on attack.
George North also scored after the home side failed to field a high kick from flyhalf Dan Biggar and the ball bounced kindly for the Lions right winger, who crossed under the posts.
The Hurricanes did not help themselves as they turned the ball over just when they appeared to be getting momentum or gave away silly penalties inside their own half, allowing Biggar to knock three over to give his side a 23-7 lead at the break.
The home side struck back almost immediately after the resumption of play with Laumape finishing off a well-worked backline move that ended with the All Blacks squad member smashing over the top of Biggar.
Jordie Barrett and Biggar traded penalties before Seymour grabbed his second try with scrumhalf Te ToiroaTahuriorangi yellow carded for a high tackle as the visitors built their 14-point advantage.
Henderson, who had been outstanding in the second half, was then given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Jordie Barrett, allowing Goosen to cross before Fifita smashed over following a sustained buildup.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have continued to fight off questions about intentionally targeting British and Irish Lions scrumhalf Conor Murray in the first test with loose forward Jerome Kaino repeating the team’s denial on Tuesday.
Lions coach Warren Gatland stoked the fire on Sunday when he said he thought the All Blacks had targeted Murray during their 30-15 victory in Auckland the previous day to injure him as a way of nullifying his attacking box kicks.
British and Irish Lions’ fans celebrate a try during the rugby union match between the Wellington Hurricanes and British and Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium in Wellington
on June 27. (AFP)
British and Irish Lions’ Iain Henderson (2nd right), is tackled by Wellington Hurricanes’ Brad Shields (center), and Mark Abbott (right), during the rugby match between the British and Irish Lions and the Wellington Hurricanes in
Wellington on June 27. (AFP) Serbia and Russia, but South Korea are out in front with three golds.
Lee Dae-Hoon secured the third by overcoming Huang Yu-Jen of Taiwan in the final of the men’s Under-68kg category, after Huang had defeated 2016 Rio Olympic gold medal winner Ahmad Abu Ghaush of Jordan in the semi-final.
The 26-8 triumph continues the host nation’s fine showing at the 23rd edition of this biennial tournament.
Two other categories got as far as the semi-final stage on Tuesday, with the medals to be decided on Wednesday.
In the men’s under-58 kg, Carlos Navarro of Mexico will take on South Korea’s Jeong Yun-Jo, while Spain’s Jesus Tortosa, just 19, meets Mikhail Artamonov of Russia.
In the women’s under-53 kg, Turkey have a chance of a second gold when Zeliha Agris meets Dinorahon Mamadibragimova of Uzbekistan. Inese Tarvisa of Latvia takes on Russia’s Tatiana Kudashova.
Men – 1. Lee Dae-hoon (KOR) 2. Huang Yu-jen (TAI) 3. Ahmad Abu-Ghaush (JOR) 3. Vladamir Dalakliev (BUL) Women – 1. Nur Tatar(TUR) 2. Paige McPherson (USA) 3. Zhang Mengyu (CHN) 3. Kim Dan-ji (KOR)