Moving the goalposts: New Zealand condemns

New Zealand has added its voice to a powerful lobby calling for the ban on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency to remain in place.

Kiwi organisation Drug Free Sport New Zealand has joined with 12 other major national antidoping authorities, including the US, UK and Australia, in condemning the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) for its reported willingness to strike a deal to lift its ban on Russia.

The 13 major anti-doping agencies have accused Wada of ‘‘moving the goalposts’’ and ‘‘sending a message to the world that doping is tolerated’’ with its intention to reinstate the Russian organisation. Whistle-blower, and former Russian anti-doping boss, Grigory Rodchenkov has said it would be a ‘‘catastrophe for Olympic sport ideals, the fight against doping and the protection of clean athletes’’ if the ban was lifted.

Wada is reported to be set to lift its ban on the Russian AntiDoping Agency (Rusada) at an executive committee meeting in the Seychelles yesterday.

DFSNZ chief executive Nick Paterson urged Wada to postpone its decision to reinstate Rusada, citing the best interest of the athletes he presides over.

‘‘Kiwi athletes are expected to keep to the letter of the law, which can be uncompromising at times. They deserve to know that the rules are applied to everyone equally, no matter who you are, and that the system is robust,’’ he said.

Paterson felt Kiwi athletes deserved to have someone fighting for them to hold other counties to account.

‘‘My aim is to get international competitors tested and held to the same standards as often and with