The World Anti-Doping Agency accused Russia of “widespread, state-supported doping in track and field events” in a shocking 325-page independent report after an 11-month investigation, which may result in the nation being prohibited from competition in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Its worse than we thought, Former WADA President Dick Pound said at a press conference in Switzerland Monday, just nine months before the Summer Games are set to begin. “It may a residue of the old Soviet Union system”. The outcome may be there are no Russian track and field athletes in Rio.
The report also states that track and field wins during the 2012 London Olympic Games were tainted, as six Russian athletes should have been ineligible to compete due to abnormal blood test results. Two of the athletes won gold and bronze medals, which may lead lead to them vacating their medals and lifetime bans.
The US Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis T. Tygart also released a statement:
USADA applauds the work of the WADA Independent Commission, led by Mr. Pound, in exposing a Russian effort to takeover sport through unlawful means. The evidence released today demonstrates a shocking level of corruption, and sends a clear message to Russia that they will not be allowed to cheat the worlds athletes and escape justice behind a wall of deception and lies. If Russia has created an organized scheme of state supported doping, then they have no business being allowed to compete on the world stage. The worlds athletes deserve better, and all who love clean sport must rise up and confront this threat. We will continue to fight on behalf of all clean athletes to ensure that clear and decisive action is taken to sweep out anyone who has been involved with this scheme.
