Russian claims ‘dismay’ WADA
THE World Anti-Doping Agency has said it is ‘dismayed’ by the latest allegations of continuing violations of doping rules in Russia. A documentary by the German broadcaster ARD has alleged an official from the discredited Russian Anti-Doping Agency gave athletes advance warning of testing plans and that a banned coach continued to operate. WADA president Sir Craig Reedie vowed they would investigate the latest revelations, which appear to deal a serious blow to Russia’s hopes of having their suspension lifted in time to send an athletics team to the Rio Olympics. Reedie said: ‘At a time when trust in sport is wafer thin, these troubling assertions will do little to reinforce confidence in the Russian anti-doping system. ‘The allegations suggest that there is still much work to be done and that we will need the full and unwavering co-operation of the Russian authorities to reverse the damage. Until this happens, clean athletes won’t be able to trust there is a level playing field.’ But Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko dismissed the latest allegations and accused the programme-makers of pursuing a political agenda. He said: ‘The thought occurs that it is an attempt to influence the organisations which are to take the major decisions. It happens at the time when Russia has again adjusted its system to remove any of the remaining allegations.’