BIGGEST SPORTS SCANDAL

Russians out in the cold as WADA hammer them over falsifying data in drug cover-up

RUSSIA last night stood accused of the “biggest sports scandal the world has ever seen” as it began its four-year ban from all major sporting events.

World Anti-doping Agency chiefs (including WADA vice president Linda Helleland, right) took the unanimous decision to impose the suspension after their Russian counterparts were declared non-compliant for

falsifying laboratory data handed over to investigators. Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said the ban was part of “chronic anti-russian hysteria”, but that view got short shrift from WADA president Sir

Craig Reedie. “For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport,” said the Scot (right). “Russia was afforded every opportunity to get its house in order, but it chose instead to continue in its stance of deception and denial.

“As a result, the WADA executive committee has responded in the strongest possible terms, while protecting the rights of Russian athletes that can prove they were not involved and did not benefit from these fraudulent acts.”

The failure to impose a blanket ban on Russia competing in international sport was condemned by US anti-doping chief Travis Tygart as a

“devastating blow” to clean athletes. And Helleland admitted she was “not happy” her organisation had failed to go further given that “this is the biggest sports scandal the world has ever seen”.

Russia will still be able to compete in – and host a group – at Euro 2020 next summer. Their footballers will be able to play at the 2022 World Cup on a “neutral” basis.