Mutko: Russia ready to reform anti-doping agency

Moscow is ready to reform the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), which the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has declared non-compliant with its regulations, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said Thursday.

   "We are saddened by the WADA decision but we respect them...We are ready to meet with WADA leaders soon to map out ways out of the situation. Now we need a roadmap to resolve the problems," Mutko was quoted by the TASS news agency as saying.

   On Wednesday, 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. 

   A WADA expert team was expected to ensure the continuation of testing in Russia, according to its Foundation Board statement. Without an operating anti-doping agency, Russia cannot host or bid for international events.

   WADA General Director David Howman said Wednesday that 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. 

   Meanwhile, Mutko stressed that RUSADA has not been closed, but kept working awaiting reforms.

   "Time mechanisms of testing athletes and anti-doping control in Russia will be developed in the near future, but for this we will need to meet with WADA representatives," he said, adding that Russian Sport Ministry will provide full assistance in the re-accreditation of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory.

   The International Association of Athletics Federation voted Friday to suspend Russia from all international competitions, including World Athletics Series competitions and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

   It has also suspended the membership of the Russian Athletic Federation, which the country's Olympic committee has promised to reform so that the national team could participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics.  Endi