WADA declares Russian anti-doping agency non-compliant

Leaders of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) declared at a meeting in Colorado that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) is non-compliant with its anti-doping regulations.

   Members of the WADA foundation board approved a recommendation from an independent commission that detailed widespread rule-breaking in Russia's track and anti-doping programs.

   Without an operating anti-doping agency, Russia can not host or bid for international events. The track team has already been provisionally suspended by the sport's governing body, the IAAF, which is also under investigation for its role in the doping scandal. 

   The vote came as key figures in the anti-doping movement, including Olympic champions Edwin Moses and Beckie Scott, called for banning the Russian track team from next year's Olympics and for the probe in Russia to extend beyond track and field. 

   "I think the athletes were quite clear," Moses said. "There was testimony in (the report) of what is going on in Russia is beyond track and field. They're very, very concerned about that."

   WADA General Director David Howman said plans would be made this month for outside agencies to take over testing and compliance for Russian athletes, so as to avoid a vacuum of anti-doping work in the country. 

   "We will continue to harshly punish for doping and will not cover up anybody. The degree of punishment for athletes (in Russia) is the same as it is in other countries," Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Wednesday.  Endi