It is good to see that Sir Craig Reedie has changed his mind about Russia or the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). At one time he intimated that they was doing everything that they were asked to prove that they are moving towards an honest program. Now he is ready to fight with vigour against their appeal of Russia’s recent four-year ban.
From Inside the Games
Outgoing World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Sir Craig Reedie has claimed the organisation will defend its decision to impose a range of sanctions on Russia with the “utmost vigour” at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
WADA confirmed it had received official notice from the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) disputing the four-year package of sanctions endorsed by the Executive Committee earlier this month.
The formal statement from RUSADA triggers an appeal process at the CAS, which will make the final decision in the long-running Russian doping scandal.
WADA will “shortly file a formal notice of dispute” with the CAS following confirmation from RUSADA of an appeal against the sanctions, which includes a ban on the Russian flag at major events such as the Olympic Games.
RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told Russia’s official state news agency TASS that it expects the series of documents it has sent to WADA to arrive long before Monday (December 30), the deadline for the appeal to be filed.
RUSADA said it “disputes the notice of non-compliance in its entirety” in a letter sent to WADA yesterday.
“WADA remains convinced that it made the right decision on 9 December,” Sir Craig, who steps down as WADA President on January 1 and will be replaced by Poland’s Witold Bańka, said.
“The proposed consequences are tough on the Russian authorities while robustly protecting the integrity of clean sport around the world.
“We will defend that decision with the utmost vigour at CAS.”
