From Inside the Games
A group of National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) have stepped up their criticism of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the decision to lift Russia’s suspension if no fresh new doping cases among their athletes emerge from Pyeongchang 2018, claiming their management of the crisis has “gone from bad to worse”.
In a statement, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) accused the IOC of making the call for “pragmatic rather than principled reasons”.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said they “acknowledged” the IOC’s decision but stopped short of supporting it.
It was confirmed here yesterday that the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) would be reinstated if there are no further positive tests from the delegation which competed as neutrals at Pyeongchang 2018.
This process is expected to be completed over the next 48 to 72 hours.
IOC President Thomas Bach admitted, however, that a new case would not definitely mean an extension of the ban.
Two members of the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) team – curler Aleksandr Krushelnitckii and bobsledder Nadezhda Sergeeva – failed drugs tests at the Winter Olympic Games here.
The IOC admitted the two failed tests were the key factor in the decision postpone lifting Russia’s suspension until the Closing Ceremony, meaning they were unable to march under their own flag.
