Final warning issued to Russia over doping

Paralympics: IPC calls on country to clean up its act or risk missing 2017 championships

There will be no Russian team at the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships unless “something dramatically changes” very soon in regards to the country’s return from its Paralympic doping ban.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has also warned Russia it may miss the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang if it fails to meet its anti-doping obligations by September.

Speaking at a press conference in London, IPC president Sir Philip Craven said: “With 291 days to go until PyeongChang 2018, there is not a moment to waste.

“The IPC task force will next update the IPC governing board in September and if the obligations have not been fully met by then, it will be very difficult for the (Russian Paralympic Committee) to have its suspension lifted in time to enter its athletes into the Paralympic Winter Games.

“Clearly, with this timeline in mind, unless something dramatic changes in the next few weeks, the Russian Paralympic Committee will not be able to enter its athletes into the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.”

That event takes place at the London Stadium from July 14-23, with the IAAF World Championships starting at the same venue on August 4.

The IPC suspended the RPC last August, just weeks before the start of the RioParalympics, after a World Anti-Doping Agency-commissioned report revealed details of Russia’s statesponsored doping.

That decision followed a similar move by the IAAF, which meant there was no Russian track and field team in Rio, and both the IAAF and IPC have set strict criteria for Russia’s return to the fold.

An IPC taskforce, led by British Rowing chief executive Andy Parkinson, has been monitoring Russia’s progress against those criteria and while there have been some positive developments much more still needs to be done.

“Although we are pleased with the progress to date, a number of key criteria still need to be met,” said Craven.

“At the moment there are a lot of good plans with timelines on paper but we now need to see plans in action and delivering concrete results.”

Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced that Russia’s anti-doping agency and main Moscow laboratory should be allowed to resume testing in June. Both have been suspended since November 2015.

Although we are pleased with the progress to date, a number of key criteria still need to be met. SIR PHILIP CRAVEN